Republican senators reportedly expect Democrats to force another government shutdown before November's midterms.

Growing concerns on Capitol Hill intensified this week after bipartisan spending negotiations stalled, prompting Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, to cancel a planned markup of four appropriations bills.

Republicans increasingly believe Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is positioning Democrats for a high-profile funding fight just weeks before voters head to the polls.

"I think my Democratic friends at the direction of Sen. Schumer are not going to agree to a top-line spending number, and they're not going to agree to vote for any appropriations bill, and Sen. Schumer is going to shut down government," said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., according to The Hill.

The breakdown in talks marks a sharp contrast from last year, when the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced multiple spending bills with broad bipartisan support.

Republicans argue that with control of Congress at stake in November, Democrats now have a political incentive to create another funding showdown.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., echoed those concerns, saying bluntly, "Democrats want to shut us down."

Democrats reject the accusation and contend that any shutdown would fall on Republicans, who currently control the White House and both chambers of Congress.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., argued that GOP leadership has failed to manage the appropriations process effectively.

Still, Senate Republicans are already developing a strategy to avoid being blamed if funding expires on Oct. 1.

According to The Hill on Monday, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., circulated a plan urging Republicans to rally behind a continuing resolution that would keep government funding in place through the midterm elections while broader spending negotiations continue.

Scott has also called on Republicans to prioritize passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.

He argued that Republicans should draw a clear contrast with Democrats on election security and government funding.

"We need to make it clear to all Americans that Democrats want to shut down government and don't care how it impacts federal workers or the economy, and Republicans want to fund the government," Scott wrote in a letter to colleagues.

President Donald Trump was expected to discuss the issue with Senate Republicans during a meeting on Capitol Hill this week, as lawmakers weigh options to prevent another disruptive shutdown.

While Collins said she would prefer Congress pass individual appropriations bills rather than rely on a stopgap measure, she acknowledged a continuing resolution may be necessary if negotiations remain deadlocked.

"I certainly hope not," Collins said when asked about the prospect of another shutdown. "But we'll have to see."