Washington. Democratic and Republican congressional leaders are heading to the White House Monday for a last-ditch effort to prevent a government shutdown, though both sides remain entrenched in their positions.

If Congress fails to pass funding legislation by Tuesday night and President Donald Trump does not sign it, numerous federal offices nationwide will close temporarily, and nonexempt federal employees will be furloughed, straining both workers and the broader economy.

Republicans are daring Democrats to oppose legislation that would maintain funding at largely current levels, but Democrats are standing firm. They are leveraging one of their few bargaining chips to push for a vote on extending health care subsidies.

“The meeting is a first step, but only a first step. We need a serious negotiation,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Trump has shown little inclination to entertain Democrats’ demands on health care, though he agreed to meet Monday with Schumer, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. The president has repeatedly signaled he expects a shutdown this week.

“If it has to shut down, it'll have to shut down,” Trump said Friday. “But they’re the ones that are shutting down government.”

The administration has warned that federal employees could face permanent layoffs if a funding lapse occurs.

“Chuck Schumer said a few months ago that a government shutdown would be chaotic, harmful and painful. He’s right, and that’s why we shouldn’t do it,” Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said Sunday.

Democrats, however, say Trump’s willingness to meet signals pressure to negotiate. Because Republicans control both the White House and Congress, Democrats argue voters will hold them primarily responsible for any shutdown.

To maintain leverage, Senate Democrats may need to vote against a short-term funding bill Tuesday, just hours before a shutdown — a politically uncomfortable position for a party that has long denounced shutdowns as destructive.

The bill, already passed by the Republican-led House, would fund the government for seven weeks while Congress works on annual spending legislation. Senate approval requires at least 60 votes, meaning at least eight Democrats would have to support it because GOP Senator Rand Paul is expected to oppose the measure.

During a potential shutdown in March, Schumer and nine other Democrats broke a filibuster to advance a funding bill, drawing sharp criticism from their party. This time, Schumer appears resolute.

“We’re hearing from the American people that they need help on health care. As for these massive layoffs? Simple one-sentence answer: They’re doing it anyway,” he said.

Democrats are pushing to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that subsidize insurance for millions, set to expire at year-end. Some Republicans back the extension but want reforms to address “waste, fraud, and abuse,” Thune said.

It remains uncertain whether Monday’s White House meeting will break the deadlock. Past negotiations between Trump and Democratic leaders have often faltered, including an August effort to expedite Senate confirmations that ended with Trump telling Schumer to “go to hell” on social media.

Trump also canceled a planned meeting last week, calling Democrats’ demands “unserious and ridiculous.” Schumer said rescheduling Monday’s session indicates the administration “felt the heat.”

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