Republicans say they're considering a short-term funding bill to keep the government afloat for seven weeks. But they'll need bipartisan votes to pass it.

Republicans say they’re considering a short-term funding bill to keep the government afloat for seven weeks. But they’ll need bipartisan votes to pass it.

A standoff over how to prevent a government shutdown intensified Monday as Donald Trump called on Republicans to write a funding bill on their own and cut Democrats out of the process.

But any funding bill, including a stopgap to buy more time, requires 60 votes to pass the Senate, where Republicans control 53 seats and therefore need at least seven Democratic votes.

Democratic leaders say Republicans are following Trump’s wishes and are refusing to negotiate, making a shutdown likelier. Congress has until 11:59 p.m. Sept. 30 to find a solution or the government will shut down.