Trump to Meet Schumer, Jeffries Over Looming Government Shutdown
White House confirms planned talks with Democratic leaders as Sept. 30 funding deadline nears; Democrats press for direct engagement
President Donald Trump agreed to meet with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries this week to discuss the looming government shutdown as lawmakers confront a Sept. 30 deadline to pass legislation funding the government. A White House official and a person familiar with the discussions confirmed to The Post that the meeting would take place on Thursday, a development that follows recent deadlock in negotiations over a continuing resolution and future policy provisions.
Schumer and Jeffries had written to Trump on Saturday, pressing for a direct meeting with the president and accusing Republican leaders of repeatedly avoiding bipartisan negotiations to keep the government open. The letter framed the meeting as critical to preventing a lapse in funding and urged the White House to engage with Democratic leaders on a path forward. The request for talks reflects the Democratic leadership’s insistence that healthcare and other policy priorities be part of any funding agreement.
A White House official responded to the demand by saying that Democrats walked away from a bipartisan negotiation on the continuing resolution, arguing that the letter signals desperation and that talks have been ongoing, with the administration seeking a broader consensus that includes healthcare provisions and other policy priorities. The official emphasized that the administration remains open to negotiations but that a deal must secure support from both parties in Congress.
The Sept. 30 deadline remains a hard line for lawmakers. If Congress does not pass a new funding bill, funding for most federal agencies would lapse, potentially leading to a shutdown that could affect national parks, visa processing, federal grants, and a wide range of government services. Agencies could begin implementing funding gaps, and nonessential operations could be scaled back as funding dries up.
Democrats in the Senate have largely opposed the stopgap measure that would extend funding at current levels through Nov. 21, arguing that such a short-term fix does not address healthcare and other policy priorities. All but two Senate Democrats rejected the plan in recent votes, underscoring the intra-party divisions over the shape of any temporary funding patch. The White House has signaled that negotiations remain open, but it seeks a broader agreement that can attract sufficient votes from both sides to avert a shutdown.
The talks come as Republicans and Democrats alike acknowledge that a sustainable funding agreement will require concessions on policy issues beyond mere funding levels. The administration has indicated that it favors a comprehensive package addressing healthcare priorities, veterans’ services, and other policy areas that have been stumbling blocks in past negotiations. Republicans have argued for a more limited approach that would keep funding at current levels while continuing to debate policy changes, a position that has complicated efforts to reach consensus.
Analysts say a direct meeting between Trump and the party leaders could signal a potential shift toward bipartisan engagement, but they caution that reaching a durable solution before the deadline remains uncertain. The White House has framed the talks as constructive, but aides say substantive movement depends on the willingness of both parties to compromise on key healthcare and policy provisions that have blocked progress in recent weeks.
The meeting, if it occurs as planned on Thursday, would be one of the latest steps in the White House’s ongoing effort to secure bipartisan support for a funding package. In the interim, lawmakers will continue to work through procedural steps and potential amendments as they seek to marshal enough votes to avert a shutdown. The outcome remains uncertain, and officials caution that last-minute negotiations could push the timeline into the final hours before the deadline.
If negotiations fail to produce a funding bill by Sept. 30, the interruption could affect a broad spectrum of government functions, from national security operations to social programs and regulatory activities. The specter of a shutdown has already influenced markets and public expectations, with families and businesses watching closely for any signs of a resolution. Lawmakers on both sides have urged rapid action, while acknowledging that final passage will require concessions that may draw opposition from some members of each party.
As the clock tightens, the White House and congressional leaders are expected to continue discussions over the coming days. The next steps could include targeted amendments, a more comprehensive framework that satisfies healthcare concerns, and a timeline for passage that aligns with the Sept. 30 deadline. Officials stress that, regardless of the path, any final funding measure must endure the political realities of a closely divided Congress and garner broad support to prevent a shutdown that would disrupt government operations across the country.
