US Heading Toward Another Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The United States will endure another shutdown of its government unless a bipartisan budget is passed by the end of this week, US House of Representatives Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra told reporters on Tuesday.

"Unless our Republican colleagues can move forward with a proposal that is bipartisan, it looks like we’re heading towards another Republican shutdown of government," Becerra said.

The US Congress must pass by December 11 a $1.1 trillion bill to fund the operations of the federal government. However, the Republicans want to incorporate a number of policy provisions to the bill, including defunding abortion provider Planned Parenthood, banning entry for the Syrian refugees and repealing Obamacare.

"And no one would like to see that because we’re too close to the holidays now to disrupt all the activities, not just of government, but of the lives of Americans throughout this country," Becerra argued.

On Wednesday, the White House said President Barack Obama will not sign a short-term funding resolution to allow more time for negotiations.

In 2013, the US government entered a shutdown stopping routine because Congress failed to pass the funding legislation on time.