US government heads toward first shutdown in six years as lawmakers fail to reach agreement

"The US government is hurtling towards its first shutdown in six years, with no signs congressional leaders are near agreement on legislation to continue funding beyond the Tuesday night deadline to prevent workers from being furloughed and agencies from shutting their doors. Congress's Republican majority is pushing legislation to fund the government through 21 November, but Democrats have refused to vote for it unless it includes a series of concessions centered on healthcare."

"Republicans passed their funding bill through the House of Representatives on a near party-line vote, but it requires at least some Democratic support to advance in the Senate. In exchange for their votes, the minority party is demanding an extension of subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans, which expire at the end of the year. They also want to undo Republican cuts to Medicaid, the program providing healthcare to poor and disabled Americans, and public media outlets."

Federal funding faces a looming deadline that could produce the first U.S. government shutdown in six years, risking furloughed workers and closed agencies. House Republicans advanced a short-term funding bill to extend appropriations to 21 November, but Senate approval requires at least some Democratic support. Senate Democrats insist on extensions of Affordable Care Act subsidies, reversal of Medicaid cuts, and protection for public media as conditions for their votes. President Trump held a meeting with congressional leaders without resolving differences. Republican leaders argue the stopgap provides more time for long-term spending talks while Democrats demand healthcare concessions to avoid a shutdown.

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