The clock was ticking down Tuesday on a US government shutdown, with negotiations between congressional Republicans and Democrats at a stalemate.

What happens if Congress fails to strike a deal before funding expires at midnight?

– Who is impacted –

Hundreds of thousands of federal workers could be furloughed, but those considered essential would keep working.

President Donald Trump’s administration has also raised the stakes this time: it has directed agencies to consider firing staff rather than the usual practice of holding up their pay until lawmakers strike a deal.

The need to avoid a shutdown has “reached a new level of urgency,” said the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

AFGE President Everett Kelley urged lawmakers Monday to come to the table, stressing that

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