WASHINGTON – The fate of a federal government shutdown is all up to Congress and President Donald Trump.
Republican and Democratic congressional leaders are optimistic that when they return from their recess the last week of this month, they'll reach a deal and avert a government shutdown by April 28, when legislation that is now funding the government expires.
Yet there are a number of issues, including the White House's push for a U.S.-Mexico border wall money and Trump's threat this week to pull some health care funding, that could lead to a blowup.
This year's showdown is most likely in the House, where Republicans are counting on Democratic support to pass a spending bill because some House conservatives have steadfastly refused to vote for spending bills.
That could, however, mean White House priorities go wanting, for now. Here's a look at the potential flash points:
Trump's wall
The administration is asking for $1.5 billion to start building a wall along the U.S. southern border. Candidate Trump promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but the administration has since said U.S. tax dollars will finance it.
It's a nonstarter with Democrats: "They'll have to fight it out in their caucus," Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida said of the GOP. "This senator, this caucus, is not going to vote for money for a wall."
Health care bill
Trump this week threatened to withhold payments owed to health insurers under the Affordable Care Act as a gambit to force Democrats to the bargaining table.