The House bill goes back to the Democratic-controlled Senate, which last week voted to extend federal funding with no other provisions attached. Majority Leader Harry Reid called the House bill “pointless”, and said that only a “clean” spending bill will reach President Obama’s desk. The president has refused to negotiate with Republicans.

“No one gets to hurt our economy and millions of innocent people just because there are a couple laws you do not like," Obama said. "It has not been done in the past, and we are not going to start doing it now.”

Monday, the Senate is expected to shelve the House bill, leaving the U.S. government without spending authority as of October 1. This is the first of two fiscal fights. Later next month, Congress must extend federal borrowing authority, or risk a default on the national debt. Economists warn that a protracted government shutdown or a debt default would bring disastrous consequences.

The domestic fiscal battles come as the president pursues a nascent, fragile diplomatic opening with Iran in hopes of restricting Tehran’s nuclear program. The topic is sure to be a focus of discussions Monday when Obama hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.