US Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries, have called for a meeting with President Donald Trump to avoid a government shutdown when funding ends on September 30.

"Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position. We are ready to work toward a bipartisan spending agreement that improves the lives of American families and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis," they wrote in a letter.

"However, we will not support a dirty spending bill that continues the Republican assault on healthcare."

There was no immediate response from the White House.

Congress, which is controlled by Republicans, failed to address the funding issue before lawmakers left Washington DC on Friday for a break.

The House approved a Repu

See Full Page