Republicans who control the U.S. Congress will try on Tuesday to advance legislation that would avert a weekend government shutdown, while Democrats alarmed by President Donald Trump's dramatic downsizing effort were expected to oppose it.

Senate Democrats say they are prepared to vote against the Republicans’ bill if lawmakers do not strike a deal by Friday night.

U.S. Senate Democrats were wrestling on Wednesday with how to respond to a stopgap funding bill passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, choosing between voting for a bill many of them oppose or allowing a government shutdown.