Trump must negotiate with Republicans and Democrats on how the government will function

US President Donald Trump will meet with leaders of both parties in Congress on Monday to find a compromise on funding the federal government and thus prevent an impending shutdown.

He will negotiate with House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

In recent weeks, Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding bill until November 21, but it was not approved by the Senate due to Democrats' demands for renewed support for healthcare. Sixty votes were needed, but Republicans hold only 53 seats in the Senate and 219 seats in the House of Representatives, while Democrats hold 47 and 213 seats, respectively.

Trump had previously canceled a meeting with Democrats, but leaders from both parties subsequently reaffirmed their willingness to negotiate until the last minute to prevent the so-called shutdown. If funding is not approved by midnight on September 30, it would be the fifteenth partial government shutdown since 1981, putting hundreds of thousands of government employees at risk.

(reuters, sie)