U.S. Government Shutdown Looms... Trump to Meet Opposition Leaders on the 29th

Shutdown Possible from October if No Agreement on Stopgap Budget

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to meet with Democratic Party leaders to negotiate a government budget agreement, just two days before a potential federal government shutdown (temporary suspension of government work).

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According to Bloomberg News on the 28th (local time), President Trump will meet with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries on the afternoon of the 29th. Representing the Republican Party, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson will also attend the meeting.

This meeting was arranged after Senate Majority Leader Schumer, citing the imminent shutdown deadline, asked Senate Majority Leader Thune to facilitate a meeting with President Trump. If budget negotiations are further delayed, the operation of some federal agencies could be suspended starting October 1. As a result, there is keen interest in whether a last-minute agreement can be reached at the meeting the following day.

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that day, Senate Majority Leader Thune said, "We are open to talks, but first, the hostages must be released," adding, "Let’s free the American people and keep the government running, and then we can discuss the premium tax credit." In the Senate, the Republican Party needs support from at least seven Democratic senators to pass a temporary budget bill.

In the same interview, Senate Majority Leader Schumer targeted the Republican Party, stating, "The core issue is very simple. It depends on them," and emphasized, "On Monday, we’ll see if they are willing to negotiate with us."

Congress has yet to agree on a government budget for the fiscal year 2025, which ends on the 30th. On the 19th, the House passed a seven-week temporary budget bill prepared by the Republican Party, but it was rejected in the Senate. As Congress fails to reach a budget agreement, the possibility of a federal government shutdown is increasing. In response, the Democratic Party immediately proposed a meeting with President Trump, but President Trump refused, saying it would not be productive. However, he later left open the possibility of conditional talks.

The Republican Party wants to pass a temporary budget that maintains current spending levels to buy more time, while the Democratic Party is insisting on extending Obamacare subsidies. President Trump has warned that if a government shutdown becomes reality, he will significantly reduce the number of federal employees in departments and agencies unrelated to his policy agenda.