Washington — President Trump stated Tuesday that he received’t meet with Democratic leaders in Congress till they “become realistic” with their calls for within the ongoing struggle over funding the federal government, with a deadline of Oct. 1 rapidly approaching.
Early Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries confirmed {that a} assembly was set to happen this week within the Oval Workplace. However in a submit on Fact Social quickly after, the president known as off the gathering, no less than for now.
“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,” Mr. Trump stated.
Final week, the Home authorised a measure to maintain the federal government funded till Nov. 21, together with funds for extra safety for lawmakers and different officers within the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Democrats put ahead their very own proposal, which might lengthen authorities funding till Oct. 31 and enhance safety funding. The Democrats’ proposal additionally features a everlasting extension of enhanced tax credit for People who buy medical health insurance by the Inexpensive Care Act market, and a clawback of the a few of the insurance policies put in place by Mr. Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” earlier this 12 months.
Each proposals fell quick within the Senate final Friday, elevating fears that authorities funding will lapse on the finish of the month.
President Trump within the Roosevelt Room of the White Home in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025.
Francis Chung / Politico / Bloomberg through Getty Photographs
Congress is now in recess till subsequent week, when the Senate will return with simply days to behave. Home GOP leaders prolonged the decrease chamber’s break previous the Oct. 1 deadline to stress the Senate to undertake their invoice.
In the meantime, Schumer and Jeffries have repeatedly requested GOP leaders to barter with them on a short-term funding extension. In a letter to Mr. Trump over the weekend, Schumer and Jeffries demanded a gathering with the president, saying Democrats wouldn’t assist a “dirty spending bill” that doesn’t handle their well being care priorities. Earlier Tuesday, the Democrats introduced that following “weeks of Republican stonewalling in Congress, President Trump has agreed to meet this week in the Oval Office.”
In his Fact Social submit, the president railed in opposition to the Democratic proposal to increase authorities funding, which might roll again cuts to Medicaid, and restore funding for public radio and TV stations that was reduce earlier this 12 months in a rescissions package deal. He stated “I look forward to meeting with them if they get serious about the future of our Nation.”
“To the Leaders of the Democrat Party, the ball is in your court. I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for,” he stated. “DO THE RIGHT THING!”
In a submit on X in response, Jeffries stated “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
“Donald Trump just cancelled a high stakes meeting in the Oval Office with myself and Leader Schumer,” Jeffries stated. “The extremists want to shut down the government because they are unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating America.”
Schumer additionally chimed in, telling the president, “When you’re finished ranting, we can sit down and discuss health care.”
“Trump is running away from the negotiating table before he even gets there,” Schumer stated in a press release. “While Americans face rising costs and a Republican healthcare crisis, Trump would rather throw a tantrum than do his job. Democrats are ready to work to avoid a shutdown — Trump and Republicans are holding America hostage. Donald Trump will own the shutdown.”
Extra from CBS Information