The Brief

The federal government is nearing a shutdown as Democrats and Republicans blame each other, with potential furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and essential staff working without pay.

Democrats, led by Sen. Patty Murray, criticize President Trump for ignoring health care proposals and warn of skyrocketing premiums, while Republicans push for a short-term funding plan and dismiss shutdown concerns as political theater.

A shutdown could disrupt services like FDA inspections and economic reporting, affect programs like WIC and SNAP, and lead to issues in national parks, while Social Security, Medicare, and veterans' health care are expected to continue.

SEATTLE - The federal government appears headed toward a shutdown , with Democrats and Republicans blami

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