With federal funding set to expire on September 30, Democratic congressional leaders have called on President Donald Trump to convene urgent discussions to avert a potential government shutdown.
Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, in a letter sent Saturday, accused Republican leaders of blocking bipartisan negotiations at the president's direction, leaving critical services at risk.
The standoff centers on healthcare provisions, as Democrats insist on safeguarding Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversing Medicaid reductions enacted earlier this year through Republican-led tax and spending legislation.
Schumer and Jeffries emphasized their readiness for compromise but drew a firm line against measures that undermine public health programs.
They wrote that Republicans bear responsibility for the impasse, having rejected opportunities for dialogue despite the approaching deadline.
The letter urged Trump to intervene personally, highlighting the need to address what they described as a Republican-driven healthcare crisis.
No response has emerged from the White House as of Saturday evening, leaving the path forward uncertain.
Congress adjourned Friday without resolving the budget impasse, heightening shutdown risks.
The House passed a Republican-backed stopgap bill extending funding into November on a narrow, party-line vote.
However, the Senate dismissed it, requiring a 60-vote supermajority that demands cross-aisle cooperation.
A Democratic alternative, which included boosts for health insurance subsidies and Medicaid restoration, also met defeat.
This echoes past fiscal clashes, including the 35-day shutdown during Trump's first term in 2018-2019, the longest on record.
Republicans counter that their short-term proposal offers a pragmatic bridge for ongoing talks, while dismissing Democratic healthcare demands as untimely.
Trump remarked Friday on the possibility of temporary closures, assuring continuity for military and Social Security obligations.
As the deadline nears, the dispute underscores deepening partisan divides over federal priorities.