(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is hoping negotiations among the leadership of both parties can find an agreement before the federal government shuts down on September 30th. The Republican from Red Oak says the Senate Democrat leader is threatening a shutdown if changes aren’t made to the House funding bill.

Ernst made her comments at an Iowa National Guard groundbreaking ceremony in Sioux City Tuesday. She expects there will be some type of plan to keep the government going once everyone gets back from their break.

Ernst says the American people are the ones who will be hurt by a shutdown.

Ernst’s fellow Republic U-S Senator, Chuck Grassley, says he believes there will be a compromise with Democrats. He says Democrats have always in the past approved a continuing resolution that keeps funding the government at the same level to give them time to finish work on budget bills.