WASHINGTON — With a government shutdown looming, bipartisan congressional leaders will meet with President Donald Trump in an urgent attempt to resolve funding disputes. Both parties appear entrenched in their positions, complicating the negotiations heading into a critical deadline.

Congress must pass legislation to keep the government operating by Tuesday night. Without action, essential services may halt, and nonessential federal employees could face furloughs, exacerbating economic uncertainty.

The Republicans have challenged Democrats to oppose a proposed funding plan, which largely maintains current spending levels. Meanwhile, Democrats are leveraging their influence to demand the consideration of health care benefits as part of any agreement.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer emphasized the need for substantial negotiations. “This meeting is a first step, but only a first step,” Schumer stated, signaling that Democrats are seeking more than a short-term extension.

Despite the urgency, Trump has indicated a lack of interest in addressing the Democrats’ health care requests. He has openly suggested that he anticipates a government shutdown, blaming Democrats for inaction. “If it has to shut down, it’ll have to shut down,” he asserted.

The administration’s tactics include warnings that a funding lapse could lead to permanent layoffs of federal workers, adding to the pressure on legislators. Some Republicans, like Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have cautioned against the chaos of a shutdown, urging a resolution based on earlier discussions.

Democrats, however, argue that the Republican-controlled government would bear the brunt of public blame should a shutdown occur. Despite this, they may face a dilemma: to maintain their negotiating power, they might have to vote against a funding extension bill shortly before the deadline, a challenging stance for a party historically opposed to shutdowns.

The House has already passed a funding measure that would maintain operations for seven more weeks while Congress deliberates on annual budget issues. To clear the Senate, at least eight Democrats would need to support the bill, given the expected opposition from some Republican senators.

In previous negotiations, Schumer has faced backlash from fellow Democrats for supporting Republican measures. However, this time he seems determined to stick to a strategy that emphasizes health care as a critical issue for the party and the American people.

Moreover, Democrats are pushing for the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year. While some Republicans have shown openness to extending these credits, they seek reforms to address perceived issues such as waste and fraud.

As the meeting approaches, it remains uncertain whether it will yield productive discussions. Historically, negotiations involving Trump and Democratic leaders have been fraught with challenges, raising questions about potential outcomes.

The recent back-and-forth between Schumer and Trump reflects the high stakes. The rescheduled meeting suggests that the administration is feeling pressure to engage actively, amidst fears of widespread repercussions from a funding lapse.