Republicans, Democrats blame each other as shutdown looms

Washington, Apr 9: The US appeared to be headed for a government shutdown on Friday, Apr 8, bringing the administration to a halt, but for a last minute deal between the Republicans, the Democrats and the White House as hectic talks were on to avert such a situation for the first time in nearly 15 years.

The entire Obama Administration went on a contingency planning mode, with President Barack Obama himself cancelling his Indiana trip and focusing on averting the government shutdown and if it happens how to run the administration.

More than 800,000 government employees would not be allowed to work, only emergency services would be available; while overseas US embassies and consulates will operate at lower levels of service and only emergency passports and visa applications will not be processed, administration officials said.

The key players, even though they continued the negotiations, accused each other of not being serious and held the other responsible for the government shutdown if that happens.

PTI