Government shutdown looms as Congress deadlocks over spending bill

WASHINGTON D.C. – Congress is rapidly approaching a government shutdown as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle remain deadlocked over a spending deal, which must be reached by midnight to avoid a funding lapse.

If the House and Senate fail to pass a full-year spending bill or a short-term extension, many government agencies will be forced to shut down until Congress approves additional funding.

Republican lawmakers have been urging Democrats to pass a stopgap bill to fund the government and buy more time for negotiations temporarily.

However, Democratic lawmakers have resisted a delay, insisting that a funding bill must include provisions addressing issues they want resolved immediately. Among their demands, Democrats are pushing for the spending bill to include measures to extend exp