A senior White House official has warned that there will start to be layoffs of federal workers if the Democrats do not compromise and make a deal to end the government shutdown.
The shutdown began on Wednesday after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to agree on a stopgap funding bill.
Democrats are calling for an extension of health insurance benefits, but Republicans say that Democrats want to provide healthcare coverage to undocumented immigrants.
Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council, spoke on CNN on Sunday. He said that if US President Donald Trump decides negotiations with Democrats ''are absolutely going nowhere," the administration will start to lay off federal workers. He said that no one in the White House wants the layoffs to happen and that there is still a chance that the Democrats will be "reasonable" and reach agreement to avoid them.
Also speaking on Sunday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC that Democrats are ready to "sit down, anytime, anyplace" to address the healthcare crisis which he claimed was brought about by Republicans.

Quiz 1:
Why did the government shutdown start?
A. Democrats and Republicans agreed on a stopgap funding bill.
B. Democrat lawmakers failed to agree on a stopgap funding bill with Republican lawmakers.
C. President Trump decided to end the government funding.
D. The White House National Economic Council proposed a new healthcare plan.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 1: B

Quiz 2:
What is one reason Democrats are calling for in their extension proposal?
A. Extension of health insurance benefits
B. Increase in military spending
C. Funding for infrastructure projects
D. Tax breaks for corporations

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 2: A

Quiz 3:
Which of the following statements is true regarding Kevin Hassett, the director of the White House National Economic Council?
A. He said that layoffs will not occur if negotiations with Democrats fail.
B. He has proposed a new healthcare plan for undocumented immigrants.
C. No one in the White House wants the layoffs to happen, but they will happen if negotiations fail.
D. He has stated that he supports an increase in military spending.

[Answer block]
Answers:
Quiz 3: C