US Democrats Republicans Deadlock Looming Government Shutdown

As the federal government faces a potential shutdown at midnight Tuesday due to expiration of current funding, Senate Democrats are exploring short-term funding bills to prevent closure, while House Democrats hold firm on demands related to healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have emphasized that any deal must include an extension of ACA subsidies, rejecting Republican proposals that do not address these demands. Senate Republicans, led by Leader Scalise, blame Democrats for the stalemate and urge them to support a continuing resolution based on previously agreed funding levels to avoid shutdown. Meanwhile, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Seth Moulton express readiness to negotiate but criticize President Trump's unwillingness to engage, highlighting the economic uncertainty and potential costs of a shutdown. The looming shutdown threatens to halt pay for many federal workers and disrupt government operations, although critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, USPS, and TSA would continue functioning. A high-stakes meeting involving President Trump and congressional leaders aims to find a resolution before the deadline.