President Donald Trump will sit down with the four top congressional leaders on Monday. Join us as we talk about the pending government shutdown, just days before the September 30th budget funding deadline. The meeting will include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Republican Leader John Thune. This high-stakes deliberation follows closely on the heels of Trump canceling a separate meeting with Democratic leadership last week, due to fears that it would prove unproductive.
And just last week, new House Speaker Mike Johnson underscored the importance of that meeting’s agenda. He noted that it is “a first step, but only a first step” in moving to realize a possible solution. Johnson held an uncompromising line on Republican priorities as talks start. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer definitely tried to inject some urgency into it. “It all depends on the Republicans,” he said when asked whether a government shutdown is in the cards.
The uncertain and ever-approaching deadline for budget authorization only adds to fears over job security and the state of our nation’s economy. Republicans will need the support of at least eight Democrats to pass their continuing resolution through the Senate. Schumer is calling for real negotiations to avoid a shutdown. He highlights the critical importance of all of us working together during this pivotal moment in time.
In response to the urgency of the situation, John Thune remarked, “We acknowledge that there’s gonna have to be — hopefully there’ll be some steps taken that can address the concerns that Democrats have.” He warned at the same time that big changes can’t happen overnight, saying, true, “But you can’t do this by Tuesday.”
Johnson also added that talk about changing the Affordable Care Act tax credits should wait. He stated, “The Obamacare subsidies is a policy debate that has to be determined by the end of the year … not right now, while we’re simply trying to keep the government open.”
As leaders prepare for their meeting, observers are keenly aware of the implications a government shutdown could have on federal employees and services. Hakeem Jeffries pointed out the necessity for legislative action regarding the Affordable Care Act tax credits, asserting, “We actually need to enact legislation to ensure that the Affordable Care Act tax credits are extended.”