Government shutdown could happen after midnight
WASHINGTON (NBC, KYMA) - In Washington, all signs are pointing toward a government shutdown just after midnight.
President Donald Trump and congressional leaders from both parties held a face-to-face meeting at the White House Monday, but left with no compromise and time is running out.
On the final day before a government shutdown, hope is fading for a compromise.
"I think we're headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won't do the right thing," said Vice President J.D. Vance.
The two parties are trading blame after the top four congressional leaders met with President Trump and Vice President Vance.
"Their bill has not one iota of democratic input. That is never how we've done this before," said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
Republicans are adamant that Senate Democrats should sign on to the short-term funding bill, which passed in the House without requiring bipartisan support.
"There's nothing partisan in here, no policy riders, none of our big party preferences," said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Democrats are holding out to reverse healthcare cuts and extend Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of the year, and say they don't trust GOP promises to take the issue up later.
"When they say later, they mean, never. We have to do it now," Senator Schumer expressed.
Trump has said a shutdown could bring mass firings of federal workers and called demands from Democrats unserious and ridiculous.
Then, Monday night, the president posted a fake video with a sombrero edited onto Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House, while Schumer, who is the Senate's top Democrat, delivers a manipulated, likely AI-generated, speech.
Schumer responded to the president saying, "If you think your shutdown is a joke, it proves you can't negotiate. You can only throw tantrums," while Jeffries said, "Bigotry will get you nowhere."
The sharp words are a further sign of how far apart the two sides are as federal workers wait to hear if their paychecks will stop in a looming shutdown.
"We are very, very concerned about the next few days, very stressed, very anxious," said Lorie McCann, President of the National Treasury Employees Union Chicago Chapter.
Federal workers are paid back after a shutdown ends, though short-term needs, and the risk of permanent job loss are heightening the stress.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans are set to advance a measure to keep the government open temporarily.
It would need at least eight Democrats to pass and that seems very unlikely.
