Washington, September 28: With just two days remaining before the U.S. government risks a partial shutdown, President Donald Trump will meet top congressional leaders on Monday in an attempt to secure a funding deal.
The White House confirmed that both Republican and Democratic leaders will join the talks, following a week of stalled negotiations. A previously planned meeting with Democrats had been canceled, sparking concerns about a breakdown in dialogue.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement that they remain “resolute in determination to avoid a government shutdown,” pressing the administration to strike a compromise.
At the center of the deadlock is discretionary spending for the upcoming fiscal year, which makes up about one-quarter of the $7 trillion federal budget. The Republican-controlled House passed a stopgap bill to extend funding through November 21, but it failed in the Senate, where Republicans lacked the 60 votes required to advance it. Senate Democrats opposed the measure primarily because it did not restore recent cuts to healthcare programs.
Adding to the pressure, watchdog groups have warned that the administration could withhold up to $8 billion in funds earmarked for healthcare and education, potentially triggering what they described as “backdoor cuts.”
If Monday’s meeting fails to produce a deal, federal agencies may begin preparing for partial shutdown procedures, disrupting government services and putting thousands of federal employees on edge. The outcome will determine whether lawmakers can prevent another budget standoff or plunge into a costly political and economic impasse.
