President Joe Biden met with the top four leaders of Congress to discuss avoiding a government shutdown and passing emergency aid for Ukraine and Israel. The meeting included House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Vice President Kamala Harris also attended the meeting, where Biden emphasized the importance of putting U.S. national security interests first, including funding the government to prevent a shutdown.
The White House press secretary stated that Biden wants to ensure that national security interests are prioritized and not used as a political tool. She emphasized the importance of keeping the government open and functioning as a basic priority for Congress. The Senate’s top leaders echoed this sentiment, urging their colleagues to work together to reach a deal on spending and legislation to avoid a shutdown that could begin as early as Friday if no agreement is reached.
Schumer and McConnell both emphasized the negative impact of a government shutdown on the country, calling it harmful and unnecessary. They urged bipartisan cooperation to prevent a shutdown and ensure that essential government functions continue without interruption. The House, under Johnson’s leadership, faces pressure to pass a $95 billion national security package that provides aid to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region, which has already been approved by the Senate in a bipartisan vote.
In addition to the national security package, funding for various government programs, including agriculture, transportation, military construction, and veterans’ services, is set to expire on Friday. If a deal is not reached, parts of the government could begin to scale back operations, affecting essential services and programs. Funding for other government agencies, such as the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department, is set to expire a week later on March 8, further underscoring the urgency of reaching an agreement to keep the government funded and operational.
Biden’s meeting with congressional leaders highlights the pressing need to address funding issues and pass emergency aid for key allies like Ukraine and Israel. The potential for a government shutdown looms large if a deal is not reached soon, underscoring the importance of bipartisan cooperation to prevent disruptions to essential government functions. The discussions between Biden and congressional leaders aim to ensure that U.S. national security interests are protected and that the government remains open and operational to serve the American people effectively.
