Congressional leaders meet Trump ahead of shutdown deadline
Congressional leaders from both parties met with President Trump on Wednesday to discuss averting a potential government shutdown. The talks come as a funding deadline approaches, with lawmakers divided on spending priorities. Key figures like Senate Minority Leader Amy Klobuchar and Vice President JD Vance weighed in on the escalating tensions.
On Wednesday, September 29, 2025, President Trump hosted a bipartisan meeting with congressional leaders at the White House, aiming to negotiate a path forward before the federal funding deadline. The gathering included top Republicans and Democrats, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate leaders, as the risk of a government shutdown loomed large. This comes amid ongoing disputes over a stopgap spending bill to keep the government operational past the midnight deadline.
NPR reported that the meeting focused on bridging partisan divides, with Trump urging unity on budget issues. "We have to get this done," Trump said during the session, according to attendees. However, progress remained uncertain, as Democrats pushed for protections on social programs while Republicans emphasized border security funding.
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, spoke to NPR about the stakes. "A shutdown would hurt families and our economy—it's not worth the political games," she said, highlighting the potential closure of national parks and delays in federal services. Klobuchar noted that while talks were productive, deep divisions persist on disaster aid and immigration provisions.
From the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that a shutdown appears likely if Democrats do not compromise. "The government is headed for a shutdown unless we see real movement," Vance stated, pointing to stalled negotiations over a continuing resolution. House Speaker Mike Johnson, meanwhile, prepared his caucus with a messaging strategy, framing any shutdown blame on Democratic resistance to conservative priorities, per a Fox News scoop.
The context stems from Congress's failure to pass a full-year budget earlier, leading to reliance on short-term measures. Previous shutdowns in 2018-2019 under Trump lasted 35 days, costing billions and disrupting services. Analysts warn that another could exacerbate economic pressures amid inflation concerns.
Despite the urgency, no immediate deal emerged from the meeting. Lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill for further votes, with the outcome hinging on whether a compromise bill can pass both chambers by the deadline. The bipartisan effort underscores the high stakes, as a shutdown would furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers and halt non-essential operations.