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.

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 a temporary measure keeping the government open would have to amass at least 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate, meaning some Democratic votes would be needed.

But so far, Senate Democrats have rejected a short-term bill, demanding that any legislation undo recent Republican cuts to healthcare programs.

The Rep

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