Democratic and Republican leaders are heading to the White House on Monday, Sept. 29, for a final attempt to prevent a government shutdown, AP News reports. The deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30, and without a funding agreement, many federal offices could close temporarily, and nonessential federal employees could face furloughs. The potential shutdown has raised concerns about disruptions to government services and the financial impact on workers and the economy.
White House officials have said the administration is not planning major compromises.
“The president wants to keep the government open, he wants to keep it funded,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at the White House, according to AP News. She added that Trump is “giving Democrats one last chance to be reasonable today.”
Republicans are backing a bill that would largely maintain current funding levels, challenging Democrats to oppose it. Democrats, however, are standing firm, using the looming shutdown to press for extensions to healthcare benefits. Among their priorities are the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, which help millions of Americans afford insurance and are set to expire at the end of the year.
“The meeting is a first step, but only a first step. We need a serious negotiation,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Trump has indicated he is prepared for a shutdown if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement.
“If it has to shut down, it’ll have to shut down,” he said in a previous report by AP News, blaming Democrats. Some Republicans have signaled openness to discussing health care subsidies, but they want to pick up the conversation later and focus on reforms to reduce waste and fraud.
Because Republicans control both the White House and Congress, Democrats argue that Republicans would face the most political backlash if the government closed. Still, Democratic senators may face a tough decision. The short-term funding bill, per AP News, which has already passed the Republican-controlled House, will need at least 60 votes to pass in the Senate and fund the government for the next seven weeks. Reportedly, at least eight Democrats would have to vote for the bill to avoid a shutdown, even while pushing for health care protections.
According to AP News, in March 2025, during the last potential shutdown, Schumer and several Democrats voted to advance a Republican-led funding bill, facing criticism within their own party. This time, Schumer appears determined to prioritize healthcare extensions, emphasizing that Americans are asking for help.
As negotiations continue, a government shutdown could delay paychecks for federal workers and disrupt public services. Both parties have expressed a desire to avoid a shutdown, but no resolution has been reached.
