Former Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz was accused of "crying crocodile tears" over the US government shutdown, during a blistering speech by Colorado senator Michael Bennet.

Pointing out that first responders were going without pay, Mr Bennet reminded the Texan politician that he had previously supported a shutdown six years ago, when Colorado was hit with poor weather.

“When the Senator from Texas shut this government down in 2013 my state was flooded,” the Democrat told the US Senate. “It was underwater. People were killed! People's houses were destroyed! Their small businesses were ruined forever and because of the Senator from Texas, this government was shut down for politics. Then he surfed to a second place finish in the Iowa caucuses.”

Directing his ire at Donald Trump, he said: "How ludicrous this is that the government is shut down over a promise the president of the United States couldn’t keep."

His comments came as the US Senate rejected two bills to end the government shutdown, leaving no end in sight to the record-breaking closure of federal agencies. The Republican legislation garnered 50 votes with 47 against, with 52-44 for the Democratic bill. Both measures needed 60 votes to pass.

Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures The US Capitol on the first morning of a partial government shutdown in Washington EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures President Trump speaks with children who called the North American Aerospace Defense Command Santa tracker in the State Dining Room of the White House. He earlier in the day, tweeted that he was 'all alone in the White House' waiting for Democrats to make a deal on border security EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Furloughed federal workers pick up free food at a pop-up store of Kraft Heinz Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Hundreds of federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures A pedestrian walk past the U.S. Capitol ahead of a possible partial government shut down in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts JOSHUA ROBERTS Reuters Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures From left, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Dick Durbin and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi walk to speak to reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump about border security in the Situation Room of the White House. Trump declared he could keep parts of the government shut down for "months or even years" as he and Democratic leaders failed in a second closed-door meeting to resolve his demand for billions of dollars for a border wall with Mexico Evan Vucci AP Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures A sign alerts visitors to the closure of the National Archives on the fifth day of a partial government shutdown EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Hundreds of federal workers and contractors rally against the partial federal government shutdown Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Visitors read signs announcing the closure of the White House Visitor Center EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures President Donald Trump speaks during a round-table discussion on border security and safe communities with State, local, and community leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House Getty Images Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures A sign alerts visitors to the closure of the White House Visitor Center on the first day of a partial government shutdown EPA Trump shuts down US government over Mexico border wall – in pictures Furloughed federal workers show their IDs for entering a pop-up store of Kraft Heinz Getty Images

Meanwhile, 800,000 federal workers who are struggling to cover their bills will miss another payday this week.