Republican congressional leaders on Thursday were scrambling to come up with a plan to avoid a government shutdown looming Friday night -- and to satisfy President-elect Donald Trump's explosive demand that the debt limit be raised -- or eliminated -- at the same time.

Thousands of federal workers could have to work without pay, other could be furloughed and many government services could be affected.

Democrats say Republicans will own the consequences since Trump and his ally Elon Musk blew up a funding deal GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson had proposed.