Government Shutdown Looms as Budget Talks Stall at White House

Republican and Democratic leaders left a Monday meeting with President Donald Trump without an agreement to avoid a government shutdown, with both sides holding firm as the Oct. 1 deadline approaches.

The White House meeting, lasting about an hour, failed to produce a compromise on a continuing resolution to fund the government. Vice President JD Vance blamed Democrats, saying, “We’re headed into a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing.” He criticized their proposal as “absurd,” claiming it included massive healthcare spending for undocumented immigrants.

Democrats, however, pushed back, arguing their efforts are aimed at protecting healthcare access for Americans. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the parties had a “frank and direct” discussion but “significant and meaningful differences remain.” He insisted Democrats would not support a bill that “guts the health care of everyday Americans.”

While Republicans support a “clean” stopgap funding bill through Nov. 21, Democrats are pushing to include a permanent extension of Obamacare-related tax credits. Republicans say this is a partisan move, despite Democrats’ previous support for similar funding extensions.

Senate Republican leader John Thune accused Democrats of “hostage-taking” and urged bipartisan discussions on reforms. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed some optimism, saying Trump finally “heard our objections.”

With time running out, a partial government shutdown could begin at midnight on Oct. 1 if no agreement is reached.

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