As the federal government faces what would be its first shutdown in nearly seven years at midnight, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley hopes lawmakers advance a “clean continuing resolution,” as both parties continue to disagree on health care and spending.

To avoid a government shutdown, which is set to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, the Senate would need to pass a House measure extending government funding for seven weeks, giving lawmakers more time to get annual spending bills out the door.

But party leaders have been locked in a standoff, with Democrats refusing to vote for it unless they strike a deal on health care spending and the White House considering government layoffs instead of temporary furloughs if the House measure isn’t advanced.

Speaking to reporters on

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