U.S. government on brink of first shutdown in almost 7 years during partisan standoff

With a government shutdown just hours away, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are angrily blaming each other and refusing to budge from their positions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says Republicans are trying to “bully” Democrats by refusing to negotiate. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans “are not going to be held hostage” by the Democrats’ demands, which include an extension of health care benefits. To avoid a shutdown at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, the Senate would have to pass a House measure that would extend federal funding for seven weeks while lawmakers finish their work on annual spending bills. But a resolution appears far off. Read more here.