The US Senate will vote on Monday on advancing a measure that would provide temporary government funding through February 8th, which would allow thousands of federal employees to return to work. The US government has been shut down for nearly two full days, after Republicans and Democrats failed to pass a continuing resolution bill. CGTN's Toby Muse has more.

Both Republicans and Democrats spent Sunday blaming each other for the U.S. federal shutdown. Republicans accused Democrats of attempting to mar President Donald Trump's one year anniversary in office by not funding the government.

MITCH MCCONNEL US SENATE MAJORITY LEADER "Since the Democratic leader made the political calculation. To do something that according to a recent survey even most Democrats don't support, he shut down the government to appease a portion. A portion of his party's left wing base." 

Democrats say it was Trump's refusal to agree to a deal on immigration to provide citizenship to minors who entered the U.S. illegally years ago. At the moment, the Democrats say there must be an agreement on these immigrants, often referred to as The Dreamers, in order to get funding restored.

CHUCK SCHUMER US SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER "The president must take yes for an answer. Until he does, it's the Trump Shutdown. He has said he has a love for dreamers. Let him show it. He says he needs a wall and border security. Accept our offer to do both of those things."

The shutdown began at 12:01 Saturday morning, so it's only been a weekend with minimal impact. That all changes Monday morning when tens of thousands of non-essential federal employees will be told to stay home if there's no solution. The last government shutdown occurred when Barack Obama was president back in 2013. The Republicans took most of the blame. They hope that since they now control the White House as well as the House and Senate, opposition by the Democrats will be viewed as the reason.

TOBY MUSE WASHINGTON DC "Public opinion will be crucial. If it hardens and one side gets blamed, we may see that party desperate to end the standoff and get funding restored. Toby Muse, CGTN, Washington."