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Government Shutdown Seems Likely As Congress Squabbles On Spending

Republicans want a deadline extension, but Democrats want to figure out the budget — and a few other things — right away.

Government Shutdown Seems Likely As Congress Squabbles On Spending

By: Gabrielle Ware

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The government is headed for a shutdown unless lawmakers pass a spending bill by Friday.

So far, it's not looking great. Republicans want to create a two-week stopgap funding plan that would be good through Dec. 22. Some hardliners want the extension to cover the rest of 2017. But Democrats have other plans.

They want a spending plan by the original deadline — and they want it to include legislation to protect the "Dreamers" who were previously protected under that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

Democrats and Republicans are at a standstill on the matter, increasing the odds of a shutdown. Dems also want changes to be made to the way the government handles Obamacare.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi plan to meet with President Donald Trump and other GOP leaders on Thursday, just one day before the budget deadline.