President Biden Calls Congressional Leaders to White House Amid Looming Government Shutdown
President Biden has called for a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House to address the ongoing negotiations on how to fund the government. The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, comes as the federal government faces the possibility of a partial shutdown at the end of the week.
The four congressional leaders invited to the meeting are Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The negotiations on government funding have hit a roadblock in recent days, leading to the need for this high-level discussion.
Initially, Johnson and Schumer were expected to announce a deal on Sunday to fund government agencies and departments whose current funding expires on March 1. However, no compromise was reached, and both leaders released public statements blaming each other for the delays.
Johnson’s office confirmed that he accepted Biden’s invitation and will be attending the meeting. The speaker accused Senate Democrats of making last-minute demands in the negotiations, stating that “many of the points still being debated come from new Democrat demands” that were not included in the Senate appropriators’ versions of the spending bills for fiscal year 2024.
One of the main sticking points in the negotiations is a supplemental nutrition benefits program for low-income women, infants, and children under age 5, known as WIC. Senate Democrats are pushing for $7 billion for the program, while House Republicans proposed $6 billion and Biden requested $6.3 billion in his budget. The disagreement over funding for WIC has contributed to the delays in reaching a compromise.
Schumer’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the WIC issue or the White House meeting. In a letter to colleagues, Schumer placed the blame for the delay and potential shutdown on House Republicans, stating that “extreme House Republicans have shown they’re more capable of causing chaos than passing legislation.”
If no deal is reached on new federal funding or an extension of current levels by March 1, the government will face a partial shutdown. The consequences of a shutdown would be detrimental to the economy and the safety of American families.
The White House, as well as the offices of Schumer, McConnell, and Jeffries, did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the meeting.
In conclusion, President Biden’s call for a meeting with congressional leaders at the White House reflects the urgency to resolve the ongoing negotiations on government funding. With the possibility of a partial shutdown looming, it is crucial for all parties involved to find common ground and reach a compromise that will ensure the smooth functioning of government agencies and departments. The outcome of this meeting will have significant implications for the economy and the well-being of American families.