Washington: The United States edges closer to a government shutdown after a high-stakes meeting between President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders failed to yield a compromise. Without a deal by Tuesday midnight, federal funding could lapse, halting several government services.

Why is a government shutdown imminent?

After meeting Trump at the White House, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighted the stakes.

“We laid out to the president some of the consequences of what’s happening in health care, and by his face, he looked like he heard about them for the first time,” Schumer said.

“We have very large differences on health care.”

Democrats are insisting on reversing Medicaid cuts included in the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking to reporters, warned that a shutdown could happen soon:

“I think we’re headed into a shutdown because Democrats won’t do the right thing. I hope they change their mind, but we’re going to see,” he said.

What are Republicans proposing?

Republicans, who control both the Senate and House of Representatives, have suggested extending government funding only until November 21. However, the Senate requires 60 votes to pass the funding bill, leaving the GOP seven votes short.

Essential services like border protection, law enforcement, and air traffic control would continue. However, non-essential services could be hit hard, including:

  • Food assistance programs
  • Government-funded pre-schools
  • Food inspections
  • National park operations

If prolonged, air travel may face disruptions as federal employees work without pay and could decline to report for duty. The Trump administration has even threatened to fire federal workers during the shutdown period.

If a shutdown occurs, it would mark the first US government shutdown in seven years. The last one, under Trump in 2018, lasted 35 days, the longest in history.