Washington (AFP) – US lawmakers were hunkered down Monday in talks to fund the government ahead of a potential shutdown next week, as federal agencies run out of previously allocated money. Shutdowns typically lead to hundreds of thousands of government workers being sent home, while parks, museums and other federal properties and services are closed. With funding running out on February 18, President Joe Biden’s Democrats and opposition Republicans have been unable to agree on a “topline number” for the 2022 spending bills. As a result, the US House is expected to vote on a short-term fundin…