India, March 4 -- Republicans and Democrats are racing against time to reach consensus on a spending deal that would prevent a government shutdown. With the March 14 deadline just two weeks away, lawmakers from both parties have been involved in fervent negotiations.

Negotiations have been complicated by President Donald Trump's defiance of spending laws previously passed by Congress, his suspension of foreign aid, and the firing of thousands of federal employees. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle cite Trump's unilateral actions as a major hurdle in securing a funding agreement that would keep the government operational beyond mid-March.

Democrats insist on guarantees that would prevent Trump and his budget adviser, billionaire Elon ...