U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with the top Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress on Monday, to discuss government funding ahead of a September 30 deadline to keep the government open.
The U.S President had previously cancelled a meeting with the top congressional Democrats—Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer, to discuss government funding.
A joint statement released by Jeffries and Schumer on Saturday confirmed the Monday meeting saying, “We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown.”
A joint statement released by Jeffries and Schumer on Saturday confirmed the rescheduled Monday meeting, saying: “We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown.”
On September 19, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a stopgap bill to fund the government through November 21. However, the bill fell short in the Senate where Republicans needed 60 votes. Senate Democrats rejected it, demanding that any legislation undo recent cuts to healthcare programmes.
Currently, Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate compared with the 47 held by Democrats, and they have a 219–213 majority in the House.
REUTERS