Washington braced for a fast-approaching government shutdown on Tuesday, as Republicans and Democrats appeared unlikely to reach an agreement that would extend funding past a midnight deadline.
The Republican-controlled Senate is expected to vote on a temporary spending bill that has failed once already, with no sign that a second vote will bring success.
Federal agencies, meanwhile, issued detailed plans that would close offices conducting scientific research, customer service, and other activities not deemed “essential” and send thousands of workers home if Congress does not agree on a fix before funding expires at midnight (0400 GMT on Wednesday).
Airlines warned that a shutdown could slow flights, while the Labor Department said it would not issue its monthly unemployment report, a closely watched barometer of economic health.
Trump’s budget director, Russ Vought, told reporters at the White House that a shutdown would be managed “appropriately, but it is something that can all be avoided” if Senate Democrats accepted the House-passed bill.
