Trump to Host Emergency Meeting with Congressional Leaders Ahead of Shutdown Deadline

Trump to Meet with Congressional Leaders Ahead of Government Shutdown Deadline President Donald Trump plans to 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 a shutdown. The meeting involving House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune as well as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was confirmed by a White House official and another person familiar with the planning. According to sources, the meeting is an attempt to break the impasse between Democrats and Republicans over funding for various government agencies. The standoff has been ongoing for days, with Democrats refusing to offer the necessary votes to pass a funding measure that would keep the government open beyond Wednesday's midnight deadline. "We're hopeful that this meeting will bring some clarity to the situation," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement. "We've made it clear what we need: a clean CR [continuing resolution] with no poison pills or partisan riders." House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Schumer's sentiments, stating, "We're committed to finding a solution that works for everyone. We'll do everything we can to avoid a shutdown and keep the government running smoothly." The meeting comes as Congress struggles to reach an agreement on funding for various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, which is set to expire at midnight on Wednesday. If no deal is reached, it could lead to a partial government shutdown, affecting hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Background context shows that Democrats have been pushing for a clean CR without any partisan riders or poison pills, while Republicans have sought to include provisions related to border security and immigration reform. Additional perspectives from experts suggest that the meeting may be an attempt by Trump to exert pressure on Congress to reach a deal. "The President is trying to use his leverage to get what he wants," said one analyst. "But it's unclear whether this will actually lead to a resolution." As the deadline looms, lawmakers are working around the clock to find a solution. The meeting at the White House on Monday may be a last-ditch effort to avoid a shutdown. Current Status and Next Developments The meeting between Trump and congressional leaders is scheduled for Monday at the White House. If no agreement is reached by Wednesday's midnight deadline, it could lead to a partial government shutdown. Lawmakers will continue to work towards finding a solution, but the outcome remains uncertain. *Reporting by Fortune.*