President Donald Trump is set to meet with the top House and Senate Republican and Democratic leaders on Sept. 29, with little time remaining to avert a partial government shutdown.
Funding for the federal government is set to run out after Sept. 30, triggering a halt to “non-essential” government work.
On Saturday evening, a White House official confirmed with The Epoch Times that the president has agreed to meet with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
The White House and congressional Republicans are currently at an impasse with congressional Democrats over legislation to fund the government and avoid the partial shutdown. Lawmakers are currently deliberating stopgap legislation to fund the government through Nov. 21, by which time they may be able to work out a plan to fund the government for the rest of fiscal year 2026.
“We are resolute in our determination to avoid a government shutdown and address the Republican healthcare crisis. Time is running out.”
Ryan Wrasse, a spokesman for Thune, placed the blame on congressional Democrats.
“As rank-and-file Democrats begin to question their leadership’s unsustainable position, Sen. Schumer is clearly getting nervous,” Wrasse said in a statement on Saturday night. “There’s an easy way out, and they’ll get a chance to take it next week.”
A partial shutdown also means federal employees who are considered “non-essential” would be furloughed and forego their regular paychecks until the shutdown is resolved.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
