The Obama administration is preparing for the possibility of a government shutdown, but officials say it will likely have little impact if Congress can reach a funding deal over the weekend.

The government will officially shut down midnight Friday if the Senate can’t reach a deal on a four-month spending bill. The measure is being held up as coal-state Democrats push for a longer extension of retired miners’ health benefits.

The Office of Management and Budget has already begun to coordinate with government agencies to plan for a potential shutdown, according to a spokesperson.

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But White House spokesman Eric Schultz said Friday that shutdown plans will not be put into motion if talks progress and the spending bill looks “likely to be enacted” later in the weekend.

That means federal agencies could avoid painful steps, such as furloughing employees. It would also allow government entities, like national parks, to remain open over the weekend.

The storied Army-Navy football game taking place Saturday in Baltimore will also likely go ahead as planned regardless of the Senate’s bargaining.

Appropriations Committee staffers in the House and Senate say there are no plans – and no need – to draft a mini stopgap funding measure to fund the government over the weekend.



With about eight hours before the deadline, House GOP Appropriations spokeswoman Jennifer Hing confirmed there are no plans to do a few-day extension.

“It doesn't really matter because the government is shut down on the weekend anyway," she said.



Even if the spending committees wanted to work out a two- or three-day extension, staffers point out that the House has already left town for the month.

Unless the Democrats back down, the Senate won't be able to take its first vote on the spending measure until about 1 a.m. Saturday morning.

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The spending bill is likely to clear that initial hurdle, over the protest of Democratic senators like Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinThe Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by Facebook - Trump, GOP allies prepare for SCOTUS nomination this week Trump meets with potential Supreme Court pick Amy Coney Barrett at White House Names to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court MORE (D-W.Va.).

The group led by Manchin has only been able to hold up the funding bill so far because Senate GOP leaders had sought to fast-track it ahead of Friday night's deadline, which requires the consent of all senators.

Under the Senate's procedural rules, a final passage on the spending bill could then take place on Sunday.

Jordain Carney contributed.