Trump Puts Shutdown Talks wiht Congressional Democrats on Hold
WASHINGTON – A planned meeting between President Donald Trump adn top Congressional Democrats has been called off,just days before the September 30th deadline to avert a federal government shutdown. The meeting, scheduled with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, was intended to negotiate a stopgap funding bill.
Both Schumer and Jeffries had confirmed the meeting as recently as Tuesday morning, according to their offices. However, President Trump announced via a post on truth Social that he had decided against the meeting.
“After reviewing the details of the unserious and ridiculous demands being made by the Minority Radical Left Democrats in return for their Votes to keep our thriving Country open, I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive,” Trump wrote.
Schumer and Jeffries had requested the meeting to discuss terms for the short-term funding bill. In a letter, they stated that president Trump would be held responsible for a potential shutdown.
A key point of contention is democrats’ demand for an extension of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Schumer and Jeffries,both of New York,had planned to “emphasize the importance of addressing rising costs,including the Republican healthcare crisis,” according to a statement released Tuesday morning.
President Trump responded by criticizing the Democrats’ demands, accusing them of attempting to fund “Radical Left Views and Policies” related to healthcare, immigration, and crime. He stated, “The Democrats in Congress seem to have totally lost their way.”
Trump indicated he would be open to a meeting if Democrats “get serious about the future of our Nation,” and urged them to “legislate like true Patriots.” He concluded, “I’ll be happy to meet with them if they agree to the Principles in this Letter. To the Leaders of the Democrat Party, the ball is in your court.”
