WASHINGTON

Democratic leaders in the US Congress on Saturday demanded that President Donald Trump meet with them ahead of the Sept. 30 government funding deadline to avert a government shutdown.

"We write to demand a meeting in connection with your decision to shut down the federal government because of the Republican desire to continue to gut the healthcare of the American people," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote in a joint letter.

Republican congressional leaders have "repeatedly and publicly" refused to engage in bipartisan negotiations to keep the government open, they said.

"Democrats have been clear and consistent in our position," the leaders said, stressing their readiness to work toward a bipartisan spending agreement that "improves the lives of American families and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis."

The letter came a day after the US Senate blocked a House-passed bill to fund the federal government through Nov. 21.

"However, we will not support a dirty spending bill that continues the Republican assault on healthcare which includes devastating Medicaid and Medicare cuts; skyrocketing premiums, co-pays, and deductibles; the refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits; unprecedented attacks on medical research and the public health system; the suppression of vaccine availability; and the forced closure of hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health clinics nationwide," the leaders wrote.

The White House has not yet responded to the letter.