If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill, denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it and triggering a shutdown at midnight tonight. Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was killed on Saturday by federal agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo: AFPThe White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment made early yesterday morning. There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. “At its best, America serves as a haven of individual liberties in a world too often full of tyranny and cruelty.