Congressional Leaders Meet with President Trump Amid Looming Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with the top four congressional leaders on Monday afternoon at the White House, just ahead of the September 30 deadline to fund the government and avert a shutdown. The meeting includes Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).

The discussions come after President Trump canceled a planned meeting with Democratic leaders last week, citing their "unserious and ridiculous demands" regarding health care funding. Democrats are advocating for the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire at the end of the year and the reversal of Medicaid cuts enacted under the GOP's recent tax bill. Republicans prefer to address government funding first and negotiate health care issues separately.

Without congressional action, government funding will expire at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, potentially leading to delays in certain services and furloughs for federal workers. The White House has instructed federal agencies to prepare for potential layoffs, a move criticized by Democrats as an intimidation tactic. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) described it as "nothing less than mafia-style blackmail."