US Vice President J.D. Vance said that in his opinion the US government will shut down due to a lack of agreement between Republicans and Democrats, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA, citing his statement after a White House meeting with Congressional leaders.
"I think we are heading towards a shutdown because the Democrats are not going to do the right thing. I hope they change their minds, but we'll see," Vance told reporters outside the White House.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that during the meeting, Democratic lawmakers presented President Donald Trump with health care issues.
Both sides emerged from the meeting saying the other side would be to blame if Congress did not extend the government funding beyond a midnight deadline on Tuesday, Reuters noted.
Democrats have argued that any deal to extend the deadline must preserve expiring health care benefits, while Trump's Republicans have insisted that health care and government funding should be treated as separate issues.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the two sides "have very big differences".