Trump to meet Republican, Democratic leaders as US gov't shutdown looms

"The standoff comes after Democrats in the US Senate earlier this month rejected a Republican-drafted stopgap spending bill to keep the government running until November 21. Democrats have argued that any spending bill should include provisions to expand healthcare coverage, including by reversing cuts to Medicaid that were included in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Republicans argue that healthcare-related provisions should be addressed separately as part of negotiations for a comprehensive spending package."

"While Republicans hold 53 seats in the 100-member Senate, at least 60 lawmakers must approve spending bills in the upper chamber. In interviews on Sunday, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer traded blame for the impasse. The ball is in their court, Thune told NBC News's Meet the Press. There is a bill sitting at the desk in the Senate right now, we could pick it up today and pass it."

"Speaking on the same programme, Schumer described the meeting with Trump and his Republican counterparts as only a first step to resolving the issue. We need a serious negotiation, Schumer said. Now, if the president at this meeting is going to rant, and just yell at Democrats, and talk about all his alleged grievances, and say this, that, and the other thing, we won't get anything done. But my hope is it'll be a serious negotiation."

President Donald Trump will meet with top congressional Republicans and Democrats before a Wednesday midnight deadline to avoid a partial federal government shutdown. Lawmakers failed to agree after Senate Democrats rejected a Republican stopgap spending bill that would have kept the government funded until November 21. Democrats insist any spending measure must expand healthcare coverage, including reversing Medicaid cuts in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Republicans prefer to handle healthcare in a comprehensive package. Republicans hold 53 Senate seats but 60 votes are required to pass spending bills. Senate leaders traded blame, and both sides called for serious negotiations.

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