Trump, Congress Face Showdown Over Looming US Government Shutdown

With the clock ticking down to a Wednesday-midnight deadline, President Donald Trump is set to huddle with congressional leaders Monday to try to avert yet another partial government shutdown, the kind of Washington drama Americans have seen 14 times since 1980.

At stake: paychecks for federal workers, the smooth running of agencies, and the political fortunes of both parties just months ahead of the election season.

The fight this time centers on healthcare funding. Democrats in the Senate earlier this month blocked a Republican stopgap measure that would have kept the government running until November 21 but included cuts to Medicaid embedded in Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Democrats want those cuts reversed and expanded healthcare coverage wrapped into any short-term spending plan. Republicans, meanwhile, say healthcare is a separate debate and are pushing for a “clean” funding bill.

With 53 seats, Republicans have a majority in the Senate but still need 60 votes to pass a spending package. It’s a high-stakes numbers game.

On Sunday talk shows, both parties fired opening salvos. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told NBC:

“The ball is in their court. There is a bill sitting at the desk in the Senate right now, we could pick it up today and pass it.”

But Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the planned meeting with Trump “only a first step,” adding:

“We need a serious negotiation. Now, if the president at this meeting is going to rant … we won’t get anything done.”

Trump has already canceled one meeting with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, complaining of “unserious and ridiculous demands.” Monday’s sit-down could be the last chance to stop a shutdown before the deadline hits.

If Congress and the White House don’t strike a deal, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed and go without paychecks, at least temporarily. Agencies deemed “essential” would keep running but on skeleton crews.

The US has been here before: the longest shutdown in history stretched to 34 days between late 2018 and early 2019. Most, though, last only a few days. Still, the political cost can linger for months.