The possibility of a US government shutdown has grown more likely after President-elect Donald Trump called on Republican lawmakers to reject a bipartisan funding bill.

Trump urged Congress to scrap the deal and pass a streamlined bill. His intervention followed heavy criticism of the bill by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Congressman Steve Scalise, the Republican House Majority Leader, indicated  that the bill was dead after Trump denounced it.

The short-term funding bill will need to be passed by Congress by the end of week to prevent many federal government offices from shuttering beginning on Saturday.