The White House is ramping up pressure on Democrats as the US government shutdown enters its second week, warning that mass layoffs of federal workers will begin if no deal is reached on a spending bill.
Senate Republicans will vote for a fifth time to approve a temporary bill to reopen the government until November 21. Trump and his advisers have accused Democrats of blocking passage, while Democrats have insisted that Obamacare and Medicaid subsidies be included in the spending package.
Although Republicans control both chambers, they are five votes short of the Democrats' 60-vote majority in the Senate. As negotiations drag on, pressure mounts as hundreds of thousands of government workers begin to have their pay delayed and public operations disrupted.
Republicans are using a mixed-pressure strategy that promises to negotiate health subsidies while threatening layoffs and project cancellations. But Democrats are rejecting empty promises and demanding legal guarantees.
The political tensions highlight the deep impasse between the two parties. While Republicans insist the government must reopen immediately, Democrats want health reform and budget protections to be passed first before any vote is passed.
