The US is hurtling towards a government shutdown on Tuesday night, and there appears to be little appetite on either side of the partisan divide to avoid it.
A last-ditch meeting between President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders in Congress made little progress. If anything, both sides have been digging deeper into their positions.
I think we're headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won't do the right thing, Vice President JD Vance told reporters after the meeting at the White House. You don't put a gun to the American people's head and say, 'Unless you do exactly what Senate and House Democrats want you to do, we're going to shut down your government'.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer said there were still very large differences between his party and the White House.
No one sounded optimistic.
These positions hardened further after Trump posted an AI video mocking the Democratic leadership, which depicted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in an unflattering light. Both Schumer and Jeffries responded angrily, highlighting the inflamed tensions.
In terms of demands, Republicans seek a short-term extension of current spending levels, while Democrats want to end recent unilateral spending cuts implemented by the Trump administration and secure a renewal of health care subsidies.
However, as political strategies unfold, both sides recognize that a government shutdown could have severe repercussions, putting millions at risk of losing healthcare access and creating instability within federal services.
In the past, conflicts over government spending have culminated in extended shutdowns, with the longest during Trump's first term lasting 35 days. As both parties prepare for a high-stakes standoff, the fate of numerous government programs hangs in the balance.
