Potential Government Shutdown: Congressional Leaders Convene at White House
President Donald Trump is set to meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House this Monday. This crucial meeting comes as the federal government faces a potential shutdown in just three days, with the current funding set to expire at midnight on September 30, 2025.
The meeting roster includes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. This follows Trump’s earlier cancellation of a meeting with Democratic leaders.
The standoff primarily revolves around Democratic demands to include enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies in any short-term funding bill. On the other hand, Republicans are advocating for a clean seven-week extension without any policy additions.
The White House Office of Management and Budget has instructed federal agencies to prepare for widespread layoffs if a shutdown occurs. This is a significant departure from the typical furlough procedures during previous shutdowns.
Economists estimate that a shutdown could cost the U.S. economy approximately $7 billion per week. This would affect hundreds of thousands of federal workers and delay critical government services. These services include:
- National park operations
- Immigration hearings
- Economic data releases
The potential shutdown comes at a critical time, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics scheduled to release vital September jobs data on October 3.