The United States government is on the brink of its 15th partial shutdown since 1981. Photo: AP PHOTO

Ahead of a meeting between lawmakers and US President Donald Trump, the Republican leaders of Congress are seeking to blame Democrats for an impasse prior to a looming deadline to pass legislation to avert a government shutdown and urged them to agree to a short-term bill to buy some time.

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Without passage of funding legislation, parts of the government would close on Wednesday, the first day of the US government's 2026 fiscal year.

Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but

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