Some US government offices may close from Wednesday as Republicans and Democrats remain divided over federal funding.


The House of Representatives passed a stopgap budget bill on September 19, which would fund the government from October 1 through November 21. However, the Senate rejected the bill as Democrats sought an extension of health insurance benefits.


President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance met with Congressional leaders of both parties on Monday, but the two sides remained at an impasse.


Vance told reporters, "I think we're headed to a shutdown." He said, "You don't use your policy disagreements as leverage to not pay our troops, to not have essential first services of government actually function."


Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said they made proposals to the president on health care, which they think the American people are for. He said if the president will accept some of the things they asked for, a shutdown can be avoided. He said, "But there are still large differences between us."


Such stalemates over the federal budget have become a regular occurrence in Washington. The situation remains tense, as the Trump administration is poised to furlough workers if government offices are closed.