With a potential government shutdown looming, Republicans and Democrats are butting heads over President Obama's healthcare law and government funding. If nothing is achieved at some point today, the United States will see its first government shutdown since 1996.

In order to fix things, a government funding bill must pass through both chambers iofn Congress and get signed by President Obama before midnight tonight.

The new fiscal year starts Tuesday, Oct. 1, so a bill to fund the government must be passed by both chambers in Congress and signed by Obama sometime toay.

According to USA Today, some of the restrictions and consequences of a government shutdown would extend to the general public. National Park, Historic Sites, and some museums will be closed without the funding in place. If the shutdoen lasts longer than a week, paychecks for active-duty military personnel may be delayed.

The senate is expected to conduct an afternoon vote against Republican amendments that would delay healthcare reforms. Meanwhile, the Republican-controlled house amended a spending bill over the weekend to delay the implementation of Obamacare for a year. Obama said he would veto this if measure if it passed, and one of his predecessors is standing behind him in support.

"You can't negotiate over that," former President Bill Clinton said. "And I think he's right not to."

President Obama touched base on the topic during his radio speech on Saturday. "In the next couple days, these Republicans will have to decide whether to join the Senate and keep the government open, or create a crisis that will hurt people for the sole purpose of advancing their ideological agenda," he said.

Obama is scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before he regroups for a meeting with his cabinet.