Showdown on Capitol Hill: Can Leaders Avert a Government Shutdown?
President Donald Trump is set to meet with key Congressional leaders to discuss averting a government shutdown. The federal government risks a 15th partial shutdown due to disagreements on budget allocations. Previous talks were stalled due to differences between parties on healthcare cuts and discretionary funding.
In a crucial meeting set for Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump will engage with top Democratic and Republican Congressional figures to address government funding issues looming over an impending deadline. The aim is to circumvent a government shutdown threatened by partisan disagreements over the budget. A White House official confirmed the discussions on Saturday.
Trump's meeting comes after an earlier decision to cancel talks with Congressional Democrats--House Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer. Both leaders affirmed their commitment to preventing a shutdown in a joint statement, expressing optimism about the upcoming negotiations.
The government teeters on the edge of a partial shutdown for the 15th time since 1981, as consensus has eluded legislators on a fiscal plan covering roughly a quarter of the $7 trillion budget. A stopgap bill passed by the House didn't clear the Senate, mainly due to Senate Democrats' insistence on reversing recent healthcare cuts. Republicans maintain a marginal majority in both the Senate and House.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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