Washington (AP) – President Donald Trump He will meet with the top four Congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before the deadline to fund the federal government or face closures.
The meeting, which will feature House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate majority leader John Tune, House Democrat leader Hakem Jeffries and Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, was confirmed Saturday by White House officials and others familiar with the planning. Both were given anonymity to discuss unpublished meetings.
The meeting was first reported by Punchbowl News.
The parties have stood up for days as Democrats in the Senate refused to provide the necessary votes to pass funding measures that would keep the government open beyond Tuesday.
Without action, the shutdown will begin at 12:10am on Wednesday.
Democrats, I believe they have leveragein exchange for votes, it advocates major medical regulations. They want an extension of the subsidies that will help low and middle-income earners purchase insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Democrats also argue that they will reverse Medicaid cuts, which included GOP’s signature tax measures earlier this year.
Republicans say these demands are non-stars and are willing to talk to Democrats about issues separate from government funding. The GOP is seeking a straight extension of its current funds for seven weeks.
Earlier in the week, Johnson admitted that Trump encouraged him not to meet with Democratic leaders last week after the White House had already scheduled a meeting last Thursday. Trump suddenly retreated.
“He and I talked about it for a long time yesterday and the day before. Once they’ve finished their work, you can meet him as president of the basic governance work that keeps the government open,” R-La. “Of course, that might be productive at that point, but for now, this is a waste of his time.”
Thune, Rs.D. said he had “conversation with the president,” and expressed his opinion on the meeting. “But I think the president is speaking for himself and I think he has come to the conclusion that the meeting will not be productive,” Thune said.
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Associated Press Corps Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to the report.
