Congressional leaders continue blame game as clock ticks toward shutdown

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — As the clock ticks down towards a government shutdown, 150 House Democrats rallied on the House steps Tuesday morning ahead of a midnight government funding deadline, presenting unity as each political party attempts to shift and place blame for a lapse in government funding. “I’m the House Democratic Leader. Jeffries reiterated that Democrats are “ready” to find a bipartisan path to avert a shutdown and he sharply criticized House Republicans for canceling votes this week. A few minutes later, Vice President JD Vance joined Republicans in saying a shutdown was increasingly likely. “I think we’re headed to a shutdown because Democrats won’t do the right thing,” Vance said.