Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Sep 28: US President Donald Trump is set to meet the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before a potential federal government shutdown, officials confirmed. Attending the meeting will be House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The meeting follows Trump’s abrupt cancellation of a planned session with Democratic leaders on Thursday, citing Democratic demands as “unserious and ridiculous,” reportedly at the urging of Johnson and Thune. With the September 30 funding deadline looming, Congress must pass a spending bill to prevent a shutdown at 12:01 am on Wednesday.
In a joint statement Saturday, Schumer and Jeffries said, “We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown and address the Republican healthcare crisis. Time is running out.” Democrats are insisting that key healthcare provisions, including an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and reversal of Medicaid cuts, be included in any short-term funding measure.
Republicans have rejected these conditions, advocating a straight seven-week extension of current funding and arguing that healthcare discussions should occur separately. Johnson had previously encouraged Trump to delay negotiations with Democrats until they “do the basic governing work of keeping the government open.”
Tensions have escalated, with the White House Office of Management and Budget directing federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force plans in case of a shutdown. A senior White House official told Politico, “We’re going to extract maximum pain… Democrats will pay a huge price for this,” signaling a standoff over responsibility for potential disruptions.
Democrats, however, insist that the president must negotiate to secure their votes, noting widespread opposition to a clean funding measure last week. Every Senate Democrat, except John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, voted against the GOP-backed seven-week extension.
Monday’s meeting represents the final effort to find compromise before federal agencies may halt nonessential operations, risking mass layoffs and service disruptions nationwide.