The two top Democrats in Congress will meet with President Donald Trump Thursday, the day before government funding runs out, to discuss the budget and Democratic “priorities.”
“We need to reach a budget agreement that equally boosts funds for our military and key priorities here at home including the opioid crisis, pension plans and rural infrastructure,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said in a joint statement.
“We have to provide funding for community health centers and CHIP, as well as relief for the millions of Americans still reeling from natural disasters,” the statement read. “And we must also come together on a bipartisan deal to pass the DREAM Act along with tough border security measures. There is a bipartisan path forward on all of these items.”
Pelosi and Schumer also said that the White House requested the meeting after the two Democrats canceled a scheduled meeting with Trump Nov. 28.
“We’re glad the White House has reached out and asked for a second meeting. We hope the President will go into this meeting with an open mind, rather than deciding that an agreement can’t be reached beforehand,” the statement read. “As negotiations with our Republican counterparts continue, we are hopeful the President will be open to an agreement to address the urgent needs of the American people and keep government open.”
Hours before the scheduled meeting between Trump and congressional leaders of both parties, Trump tweeted that he didn’t “see a deal” that could be reached with Democratic leaders “Chuck and Nancy.”
Meeting with “Chuck and Nancy” today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2017
Pelosi and Schumer then declined to attend the meeting, and Republicans quickly criticized the Democrats for avoiding the discussion. Trump has reportedly told aides that a government shutdown might be a good thing for him politically, according to the Washington Post.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos Sunday that there won’t be a shutdown.
“Look there’s not going to be a government shutdown,” McConnell said. “It’s just not going to happen.”
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