WASHINGTON D.C. – Congress is rapidly approaching a government shutdown as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain deadlocked over a spending deal, which must be reached by midnight to avoid a funding lapse.
If the House and Senate fail to pass a full-year spending bill or a short-term extension, many government agencies will be forced to shut down until Congress approves additional funding.
Republican lawmakers have been urging Democrats to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government and buy more time for negotiations temporarily.
However, Democratic lawmakers have resisted a delay, insisting that a funding bill must include provisions addressing issues they want resolved immediately. Among their demands, Democrats are pushing for the spending bill to include measures to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies and to reverse recent Medicaid cuts.
With neither side willing to back down on their demands, the government faces a potential shutdown deadline tonight.
