Last-minute funding talks between Democrats and Republicans seemed to yield little progress on Monday.
Congressional leaders and President Donald Trump sparred over a looming shutdown, with the government set to run out of money at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday unless a stop-gap funding measure is passed.
Right now, health care is the sticking point for Democrats.
“Donald Trump and Republicans are eviscerating the health care system in our country, in Massachusetts,” Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, said in an interview.
“Let’s work on it together, but let’s do it in the context of an open government that’s providing essential services,” Vice President JD Vance said Monday in Washington.
Massachusetts leaders are calling for compromise.
“People need to work together in Congress, and the president needs to work, to get this done,” said Gov. Maura Healey.
Still, local officials are acknowledging the reality of the situation. The Massachusetts Office of the Comptroller sent a memo out to department heads calling for shutdown “contingency plans” by close of business Tuesday and a list of “other funding sources currently available to them.”
“It’s a necessary step, and unfortunately, there are a number of joint state and federal programs that are co-funded,” said Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Massachusetts. “We’re at our limit right now.”
While the Bay State braces for the worst, Democrats and Republicans remain in a stalemate.
“It’s up to the Republicans whether they want a shutdown or not,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.
“You don’t use your policy disagreements as leverage,” said Vance.