TOWARD A GOVERNMENT FUNDING DEADLINE, AN NO SIGNS OF ANY PROGRESS ON A DEAL. THIS MORNING JOBS UNDER THREAT AS THE CLOCK TICKS TOWARDS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN. I THINK YOU COULD WELL END UP WITH A CLOSED COUNTRY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREATENING TO FIRE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES IF A DEAL TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT ISN’T REACHED IN LESS THAN A WEEK. USUALLY IF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN, SOME WORKERS GO ON UNPAID LEAVE, BUT NOW THE WHITE HOUSE RAISING THE STAKES, SAYING ADDITIONAL JOBS WILL BE LOST FOR PROGRAMS THAT WILL LOSE FUNDING AND ARE NOT, QUOTE, CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESIDENT’S PRIORITIES. OVERNIGHT DEMOCRATIC SENATE LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER CALLING THE MOVE, QUOTE, INTIMIDATION, SAYING DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN FIRING FEDERAL WORKERS SINCE DAY ONE, NOT TO GOVERN BUT TO SCARE. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT. THE STALEMATE GOES BEYOND WASHINGTON. SHUTDOWNS AFFECT WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FROM THE MILITARY TO THE POSTAL SERVICE TO NATIONAL PARKS. DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN HOLDING OUT FOR MORE MONEY FOR HEALTH CARE IN ANY POTENTIAL AGREEMENT, INCLUDING EXTENDING SOME COVERAGE FOR AMERICANS UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND REVERSING TRUMP’S CUTS TO MEDICAID. EIGHT WORDS, NOT DIFFICULT FOR DONALD TRUMP TO PROCESS. CANCEL THE CUTS, LOWER THE COSTS, SAVE HEALTH CARE. Reporter: MANY REPUBLICANS SAY THAT’S TOO EXPENSIVE. THIS IS NOT THE TIME OR THE PLACE TO DO THIS. THEY’RE ASKING FOR HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ADDITIONAL SPENDING. Reporter: THE TWO SIDES HAD BEEN SET TO MEET AT THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY, BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP CANCELLING, WRITING, I HAVE DECIDED THAT NO MEETING WITH THEIR CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS COULD POSSIBLY BE PRODUCTIVE. WHILE DEMOCRATS DOUBLE DOWN, FOR NOW. DONALD TRUMP WANTS A SHUTDOWN. HE WANTS TO BE KING. HE HAS NO INTEREST ANYMORE IN GOVERNANCE OR WORKING WITH CONGRESS. Reporter: NOW, AT THIS POINT DEMOCRATS ARE SKEPTICAL THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WOULD ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH ON THIS THREAT IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO SHUT DOWN. IN PART BECAUSE OF THE ROCKY PROCESS FROM ELON MUSK’S DOGE COMMITTEE THAT THEY WENT THROUGH DURING THEIR ATTEMPT TO REDUCE THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE IN THE SPRING. MANY OF THOSE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES LET GO.