A brief government shutdown appeared all but certain as the Senate recessed until 12:01 a.m. Eastern Friday morning. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has protested a two-year budget deal that would also keep the government operating past midnight. Unless the situation changes, federal funding would lapse at midnight Eastern time. A shutdown could be short-lived, however. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters a vote would be at 1 a.m. The House would also need to act.