Government Shutdown Looms as VP Vance Accuses Democrats of Blocking Deal

US Government Shutdown Looms as VP Vance Blames Democrats for Stalemate Washington, D.C. - United States Vice President JD Vance warned on Monday that the country is heading towards a government shutdown after a meeting between the White House and Congressional leaders failed to produce a federal spending bill. Vance made the statement at the White House in Washington, D.C., flanked by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. "I think we're headed into a shutdown because the Democrats won't do the right thing," Vance said, attributing the impasse to Democratic lawmakers. The meeting between President Donald Trump, Vance, and Congressional leaders from both parties aimed to hammer out a deal on a federal spending bill. However, no agreement was reached, leaving the fate of government funding uncertain. According to sources, the main sticking point is the level of funding for various programs and initiatives. Democrats have pushed for increased spending in areas such as healthcare and education, while Republicans have advocated for reduced allocations. "This is not about politics; it's about doing what's right for the American people," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat. "We need to find common ground and pass a bill that addresses the needs of our country." House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, a Republican, countered, "The Democrats are being unreasonable in their demands. We're willing to work with them, but they need to be flexible." The current federal spending bill is set to expire on October 1, which could trigger a government shutdown if no agreement is reached. The impact of such an event would be far-reaching, affecting thousands of federal employees and contractors. As the clock ticks down, lawmakers are scrambling to find a solution. "We're working around the clock to reach a deal," said House Speaker Mike Johnson. "But it's going to take some give-and-take from both sides." The White House has scheduled another meeting for Tuesday, but no breakthrough is expected in the near future. In related news, President Trump has stated that he is willing to sign an extension of current funding levels if a deal cannot be reached by October 1. However, this would only delay the inevitable and not address the underlying issues driving the impasse. As the standoff continues, one thing is clear: the fate of government funding hangs in the balance, with no end in sight to the stalemate between the White House and Congressional leaders. *Reporting by Aljazeera.*