Democratic leaders in Congress took the rare step Tuesday of rejecting Donald Trump's invitation to address funding to keep the government open, after the US president signalled a deal was unlikely.

"Given that the president doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a joint statement.

"Rather than going to the White House for a show meeting that won't result in an agreement," Pelosi and Schumer said they have asked top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss the congressional agenda, including funding the government beyond a December 8 deadline.