Biden Calls on Congress Leaders to Act Swiftly with Government Shutdown on Horizon

Following a meeting with President Joe Biden and the top Congressional leaders, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his optimism that a government shutdown will be avoided before the Friday deadline.

Republican Johnson shared his optimism with reporters after the meeting with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He stated, “We have been working tirelessly to get the job done and we believe that we can reach an agreement to prevent a government shutdown, which is our first responsibility.”

During the meeting, President Biden emphasized the importance of passing funding quickly to avoid a government shutdown and provide assistance to Ukraine, warning of dire consequences if action is not taken promptly.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged that the focus of the meeting was on keeping the government open, a goal that all leaders can agree on.

President Biden expressed his belief that a solution could be reached by the Friday deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown, emphasizing the urgency of funding for Ukraine.

The spending bill has been delayed by demands from conservative Republicans in the House, leading to disagreements and stalled progress in Congress. Despite a previous agreement on discretionary spending level, lawmakers have struggled to pass necessary funding legislation.

The White House has increased pressure on House Speaker Johnson to pass a national security aid bill that includes funding for Ukraine and other critical initiatives. The administration is urging lawmakers to prioritize national security interests over political agendas.

This report contains material from Reuters.