Congress flirts with government shutdown as Manchin permitting bill may drag down funding package

The government is days away from shutting down, and the Senate may not have the votes to pass the initial version of its funding bill as top Democrats press ahead on a deal with Sen. Joe Manchin that may fail Tuesday.

Manchin, D-W.Va., agreed to help Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., pass Democrats' social tax and spending bill last month. In exchange, Schumer promised Manchin a vote on an energy permitting reform to speed new projects. They are combining that with a government funding bill that must pass by Friday night or else trigger a government shutdown. 

However, with a major test vote with a 60-vote threshold set for Tuesday night, the legislation may not have the support to pass, with opposition coming from both parties. Manchin's office says he is still optimistic. 

"He was working the phones all weekend and has shored up several more R votes. He’s still confident there is a path to 60, this moment won’t come again, and he continues to remind his colleagues of that," a Manchin aide told Fox News Digital Monday.

Sen. Joe Manchin's office says he remains optimistic his permitting reform bill can pass. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Schumer has also insisted he will follow through on his deal with Manchin. He said Thursday he is "working hard to have it pass."