Government spending for a number of federal departments and agencies is set to expire Dec. 21. Republicans and Democrats have not made any additional progress towards a long-term spending deal after passing a stopgap measure last week, raising the possibility of a partial shutdown of the Federal government (impacted agencies would include the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, the Treasury, as well as other parts of the government, such as the Environmental Protection Agency). Congress has already funded other federal departments, such as the Departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Labor.

The main sticking point continues to funding for a border wall with Mexico. The deadlock was apparent yesterday at a meeting between Pres. Trump, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Pres. Trump is demanding $5 billion for the wall, while the Democratic leaders are opposed to any increase beyond the $1.6 billion in border security funding for the Department of Homeland Security that was already agreed to by both parties. Pres. Trump has said that he is willing to shut down the government in order to get the funds he wants for the border wall. Whether a final deal will be struck or a shutdown occurs remains unclear.