US Faces Government Shutdown Over Budget Dispute, Healthcare Subsidies

President Donald Trump is set to meet with the top four congressional leaders in a last-ditch effort to avert a looming U.S. government shutdown as federal funding is due to expire. The meeting will include House and Senate leaders from both parties and aims to negotiate over a temporary spending plan, but Democrats have resisted agreeing to the Republican-backed short-term funding bill without concessions, particularly regarding healthcare subsidies and Medicaid funding. Republicans hold both chambers of Congress but lack the 60 votes needed in the Senate to pass the bill, giving Democrats leverage to push for extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies and restoration of funding cuts. The standoff reflects broader partisan conflicts since Trump took office, including disputes over discretionary spending and healthcare policy, with both sides accusing each other of holding the government hostage. Failure to reach an agreement could result in a government shutdown affecting federal employees, services, and programs. The Republican-controlled House has passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through November 21, but the Senate has rejected it, and negotiations remain tense as the deadline approaches.