Just ten hours before a threatened government shutdown, the Senate convenes this afternoon -- but leaders have made it clear that senators aren't going to accept Republican demands that a spending measure be linked with a one-year delay in implementing the rest of President Barack Obama's health care law.

Pedestrians pass the U.S. Capitol as the Congress remains gridlocked over legislation to continue funding the federal government
Pedestrians pass the U.S. Capitol as the Congress remains gridlocked over legislation to continue funding the federal government (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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About 800,000 federal workers would be forced off the job without pay if the partial shutdown takes effect. But some critical services, such as patrolling the borders and controlling air traffic, will continue.

House Speaker John Boehner says the nation is facing a budget emergency and the Senate, like the House, should be in session to help avert a government shutdown.

The Ohio Republican on Monday castigated the Democratic-led chamber for taking Sunday off amid a partisan standoff over funding the government and the future of Obamacare. Republicans want President Barack Obama's signature law limited or delayed as part of any budget deal. Democrats, meanwhile, want a budget passed without any changes to the health care program. The Senate on Monday is expected to reject the House-passed measure containing the latest attack on "Obamacare" and send the measure back to the House.

If no agreement is reached, the government would begin shutting down at midnight.

 


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