President Trump To Meet With Congressional Leaders As Shutdown Looms

President Donald Trump is set to meet with top congressional leaders Monday (September 29) at the White House to discuss a potential government shutdown. Funding is scheduled to run out at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday unless a last-minute agreement is reached. The meeting will include Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, both from New York, and Republican leaders Mike Johnson from Louisiana and John Thune from South Dakota.

The situation represents a standoff between the parties, with Republicans aiming to assert their control after gaining full government control last year. Democrats, on the other hand, are pushing for health care policy changes, such as extending key Obamacare subsidies. Six months ago, Democrats conceded to a Republican funding bill, but they are now demanding a say in the final legislation.

Despite Republicans holding the White House and both chambers of Congress, Democrats have leverage due to the need for 60 Senate votes to pass a bill, with Republicans holding 53 seats. Schumer emphasized the necessity of serious negotiations, while Thune stated Republicans would not negotiate on a short-term bill, preferring a longer-term funding solution.

If the government shuts down, millions of federal workers, including military personnel, would not receive pay, although they would be compensated once the shutdown ends. A prolonged closure could strain federal workers and impact the fragile U.S. economy, which is facing high inflation and other challenges.

President Trump warned of a possible shutdown and mentioned potential mass firings of federal workers. Democrats are demanding the rollback of Medicaid cuts and dismiss Trump's accusations of permitting health care for undocumented immigrants as false.

The meeting signals that neither party desires a shutdown, but the risk remains high. The House passed a stopgap bill to extend funding through November 21, but the Senate rejected it. If a deal is reached, House members may need to return to Washington on short notice to prevent a shutdown.