The White House is directing agencies to prepare for a possible shutdown of the federal government if lawmakers fail to strike a deal on a continuing resolution, Reuters reports.Steve Holland and Roberta Rampton report Republicans and Democrats are far from reaching an agreement that would prevent a shutdown before Sept. 30.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, White House budget director, told federal agencies in a memo to federal agencies that a skeleton crew should be selected for essential government tasks in the vent of a shutdown.
Burwell added she believes Congress has enough time to prevent the shutdown and the administration wants to work with Congress on a continuing resolution, according to Reuters.
