Trump to meet Republican, Democratic leaders as US gov’t shutdown looms

In preparation for the looming deadline to continue funding the federal government, President Donald Trump will meet with senior Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

The US government will experience a partial shutdown starting at midnight on Wednesday without the support of a spending bill, which is when Trump is scheduled to meet with congressional leaders on Monday.

The government shutdown comes after Democrats in the US Senate rejected a stopgap spending bill that Republicans had drafted until November 21.

Any spending bill should contain provisions to increase healthcare coverage, including by repealing the Medicaid cuts that were enacted by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, according to Democrats.

Republicans contend that negotiations for a comprehensive spending package should include healthcare-related issues separately.

At least 60 lawmakers in the upper chamber must approve spending bills, even though Republicans control 53 of the 100-member Senate.

Republican Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senate Minority Leader John Thune exchanged blatant accusations of the impasse during interviews on Sunday.

Thune told NBC News’ Meet the Press that “the ball is in their court.” We could pick up a bill that is currently sitting at the Senate desk and pass it, he said.

Schumer also referred to the meeting with Trump and his Republican allies as “just a first step” in terms of resolving the issue in a speech on the same program.

According to Schumer, “we need serious negotiations.”

We won’t get anything done if the president at this meeting starts a rant and yells at Democrats and addresses all of his alleged grievances, and says this, that, and other things. However, I anticipate that the negotiations will be serious.

Trump called off a meeting with Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries last week because of what he called “unserious and ridiculous demands” made by Democrats, according to Trump’s schedule.

Federal government employees won’t be paid during the shutdown period if Democrats and Republicans don’t pass a spending bill by the deadline, but they will be eligible for backpay. Additionally, those who aren’t deemed essential will be furloughed.

Since 1980, the Bipartisan Policy Center has reported 14 government shutdowns.