J.D. Vance, the US Vice President, said the government is headed for a shutdown after President Donald Trump ended a meeting with Democrats at the White House without apparent progress, signaling a possible government shutdown that could disrupt a wide range of services.

Both sides sought to blame each other for the potential failure of Congress to extend government funding beyond the midnight Tuesday deadline (0400 GMT Wednesday).

Vance said, “I think we are heading for a shutdown.”

Democrats say any deal to extend this deadline must also preserve health benefits that are about to expire, while Republicans insist on treating health care and government funding as separate issues.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the two sides “have very significant disagreements.”

If Congress does not act, thousands of federal workers could be furloughed, a wide range of services disrupted, federal courts may close, and grants to small businesses could be delayed.

Budget standoffs have become somewhat routine in Washington over the past fifteen years, often resolved at the last minute, but Trump’s willingness to override or ignore spending laws passed by Congress has added a new dimension of uncertainty.

The issue at hand involves an estimated $1.7 trillion to fund government agency operations, which equals a quarter of the total government budget of seven trillion dollars.

A large portion of the remaining amount goes to health, retirement programs, and interest payments on the growing $37.5 trillion debt.

Before the White House meeting, Democrats proposed a plan to extend current funding for seven to ten days, according to Democratic sources, which could provide time to reach a permanent agreement.

This is shorter than the timeline supported by Republicans, which would extend funding until November 21.

There have been 14 partial government shutdowns since 1981, most lasting only a few days.

The last shutdown was the longest, lasting 35 days in 2018 and 2019 due to a dispute over immigration during Trump’s first term.

Healthcare is the issue this time. Nearly 24 million Americans who get coverage through the Affordable Care Act will see costs rise if Congress does not extend temporary tax exemptions set to expire at the end of this year.