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GOP legislative leader the House leader asserted that the opposing party are “lacking seriousness” in negotiations aimed at resolving the federal government shutdown, entering its fifth day with projections indicating it will continue through next week or beyond.

Negotiations among the two major parties stalled over the weekend, and no legislative action expected to resolve the impasse. Survey data found only 28% of Democrats along with 23% of GOP supporters believe their party’s stance worth shutting down the government.

During an interview with a national television show, the speaker claimed his chamber fulfilled its duties by passing a measure for government funding and now the responsibility lies with the Senate “to restart government operations enabling federal employees to resume work”. He charged the opposition with not participating “in meaningful discussions”.

“They’re doing this to get political cover since the Senate leader is afraid losing his upcoming election for Senate reelection because he’s going to be challenged from a left-wing contender from New York, because that’s the new popular thing out there,” he said, referring to the Bronx representative who may be looking to challenge the Senate leader for the Senate position next year.

However, the minority leader, the opposition leader, told the same program that a GOP legislator made false statements recently when he claimed that Democrats weren’t truthful regarding their goals concerning healthcare benefits for immigrants without documentation.

“Republicans are lying because they’re losing in public support,” Jeffries stated, noting that Democrats are “standing up for the healthcare of hard-working American taxpayers, for labor-class citizens, for the middle class”.

Jeffries also responded to comments from the ex-president in a social media post labeling Democrats the party as malicious and destructive alongside pictures of prominent Democrats, such as progressive representatives, the Senate leader, the former speaker, and the former president and first lady.

When asked if he could still negotiate with the former president, Jeffries said the ex-president’s conduct “is shocking, it’s irrational, it’s unjustifiable, and is self-explanatory. Citizens merit more than lies, hostilities, manipulated media and a leader devoting excessive time on the golf course.”

Top political figures have not had formal talks for almost a week while both parties attempt to secure political advantage ahead of renewed discussions.

The minority leader mentioned following their last discussion earlier this week, “Republicans, along with the ex-president, have ceased communication and the Democratic party leadership “will keep emphasizing, both the Senate leader and I, that we are ready to meet any time, any place, with all parties to resolve this matter with the earnestness it requires”.

The battle for high political ground continued on Sunday with Johnson claiming that the possibility of temporary federal employee furloughs, known as furloughs, evolving into permanent dismissals “is an unfortunate circumstance the administration wishes to avoid”.

A top White House economic adviser increased pressure on Democrats, saying the White House may initiate widespread job cuts of federal workers should the leader determine discussions with the opposition have “completely stalled”.

The official stated on a national news program that the administration “are preparing measures and ready to take action if necessary, but hoping to avoid it”. However, he suggested it is possible that Democrats might compromise.

“I think that everybody remain optimistic that when we get a fresh start at the beginning of the week, that we can get the Democrats to see that it’s logical to prevent job losses of that nature,” the adviser said.

But some fear Democrats have walked into a trap. The speaker stated Sunday that the president requested Democratic leaders to keep the government open.

“Under these circumstances, where the Senate Democrats choosing to hand government control to the administration, they have to make difficult choices,” he explained, referencing the budget director.

The budget director, Johnson said, “has to now look at the entire government, acknowledging the funding streams are discontinued and determine which programs are essential, policies, and personnel. This isn’t a task that he relishes. But he’s compelled to perform it by the Democratic leader.”

The cycle of blame continued with the Senate leader stating on television Johnson “doesn’t want to discuss the real issue, the medical care crisis facing the American people. So he puts up all these fake lies to try and divert attention.”

However, during a discussion scheduled for Monday, Johnson informed another news network he considers the issue of expiring healthcare subsidies – that Democrats place central to their negotiating position – as something resolvable later.

“We have effectively a quarter-year for discussions with the administration and in Congress, that’s ample time,” Johnson said. “We require participants in good faith to come around the table and hold those talks. And we can’t do it when the government is shut down,” he added.

A prominent Democratic senator also speaking to the same news program was questioned if his party delegates in the Senate remain unified following three Democrats broke away to vote with Republicans. The senator said expressing confidence that “all Democrats understand that countless of their constituents risk losing access of their healthcare”.

“We require a leader who can act like an adult, who will negotiate and resolve to their self-imposed healthcare crisis,” he stated. “Currently this isn’t evident. We observe the ex-leader golfing frequently, we notice the House leader telling his House colleagues not to even come to session, that there’s no work for the federal government to do.”