24 hours Congress to avert a shutdown after White House meeting 2025
With fewer than 24 hours remaining before a potential government shutdown, Senate Republicans are set to present Democrats with one last opportunity to back their proposal to keep the government running past midnight. However, within Capitol Hill, there is little expectation that Democrats will shift their stance.
The ongoing gridlock between Republicans and Democrats, fueled by disputes over billions in extended Affordable Care Act subsidies, is now on track to trigger the first government funding lapse of President Donald Trump’s second term.
President Donald Trump
Hopes for a last-minute breakthrough collapsed Monday afternoon after a tense Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and top congressional leaders failed to deliver progress on funding negotiations.
With the midnight deadline quickly approaching, the Senate is set to hold at least one more vote on a Republican-backed funding proposal that Democrats have already dismissed.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s strategy aims to ramp up pressure on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has continued to oppose a status quo funding measure that excludes commitments to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies.Congress
Schumer, meanwhile, maintains that the final decision rests with President Trump and Republican leadership.
“The decision is now with the president. He has the power to prevent a shutdown if he convinces the Republican leader to support our position,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday night, following a high-stakes White House meeting between President Trump and Congressional leaders.Senator
American People
Republicans argue that Senator Chuck Schumer is jeopardizing government funding by attaching demands to the negotiations, claiming that debates over tax credits should remain separate from the urgent task of keeping the government operational.
Even Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, one of the strongest Republican supporters of extending the tax credits, stated that Democrats should not push the government toward a shutdown over the disagreement.
I don’t see how shutting down the government relates to this issue,” Senator Josh Hawley said. “My message to Democrats is that I’m open to working together and believe we share plenty of common ground-but government funding should be kept separate from these policy debates.Congress
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his Republican colleagues have maintained confidence that Senator Chuck Schumer will ultimately yield, particularly after the White House budget office warned of widespread layoffs should Congress permit a shutdown and hand more spending control to the executive branch.Congress
Within GOP ranks, the belief is strong that if a shutdown occurs, voters will fault Democrats for their demands rather than Republicans for backing a clean funding measure.
“If that’s a debate Democrats want to pursue, then let’s have it – but government funding should not be held hostage in the process,” said Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri.Congress
Chuck Schumer is too concerned about appearances and doesn’t want to be seen cooperating with President Trump,” Senator Eric Schmitt said. “It’s unfortunate because , in the end, the American people will be the ones who suffer.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
When asked whether there was any possibility of negotiating over Affordable Care Act subsidies before Tuesday’s midnight shutdown deadline, Republican Senator John Kennedy replied, “Not unless Chuck changes course.”
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We can discuss the Affordable Care Act subsidies and potential reforms, but resolving that by tomorrow’s midnight deadline is impossible,” Senator John Kennedy said. “That’s the demand Senator Schumer has made, and it’s not a serious proposal. It seems clear Chuck is pushing for a shutdown.Congress
Americans Health Care
For weeks, Democrats have signaled that they want a health care concession from President Trump in return for supporting efforts to keep the government running.
Recently, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stressed that any deal on health care – including subsidies – must be written into law, arguing it’s the only way to ensure the President follows through.Congress
We’re facing a collapse in health care. Democratic Senator Peter Welch warned, “The nation is on a dangerous path, and we cannot turn our backs on Vermonters or Americans. “The president needs to recognize that he must follow the spending levels authorized by Congress.”
Welch also expressed doubt that lawmakers would be able to reach an agreement before tomorrow’s midnight deadline.
I think the chances of an agreement are slim at this point, and I say that with deep regret,” Senator Peter Welch remarked. He added, “My hope is that we keep the government running, but if a shutdown does occur, I want to see it resolved and operations restored as quickly as possible.
Senator John Fetterman, the only Democrat who supported the GOP’s funding proposal in last week’s unsuccessful vote, said he is concerned about the millions of Americans whose lives could be upended by a government shutdown.
You’re putting the nation at risk of chaos. Millions of lives will be disrupted,” Senator John Fetterman said. “What message does that send to our citizens, to our allies abroad, and even to our adversaries?
Senate GOP plan: Keep voting until Democrats relent
Republican leaders in the Senate have coalesced around a strategy: continue holding votes on a seven-week funding extension until Democrats give in.
Top Republicans believe mounting public frustration over suspended government services and the prospect of federal workers being furloughed – or potentially losing their jobs – will eventually push Democrats to compromise.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Republican funding bill, approved in the House earlier this month mostly along party lines, would keep the government funded through late November without additional policy measures. However, Democrats are pushing back, not only over the lapse of Affordable Care Act subsidies but also by demanding a reversal of Medicaid cuts passed under Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”Congress
They are also seeking to limit the president’s authority to slash federal spending without congressional approval.
After a closed-door meeting with President Trump on Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that they view the Democratic stance as unsustainable. They indicated plans to ramp up pressure on Democrats by holding repeated votes on the short-term funding measure.
Speaking to NewsFastTV, Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso responded, when asked if Republicans would keep bringing the GOP funding plan to the floor. He emphasized they would persist with this strategy “until the government reopens as a result of ending what we view as the Schumer shutdown.
Speaking after Monday night’s Senate Republican leadership meeting, Senator Markwayne Mullin endorsed the strategy. “If the package doesn’t move forward on Tuesday, we’ll bring it back to the floor,” he said.Congress
There’s no alternative,” Mullin added.
Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican from North Dakota, predicted that even if a shutdown occurs, Democrats will not be able to maintain their stance for long.
My view is that if a shutdown happens, it won’t last long, because I don’t think 47 Democratic senators are willing to take such a risky stand. Let’s be honest – for Democrats, supporting government funding is usually the easiest step to take,” Cramer said.
It’s their usual approach – it’s what they do and what they thrive on. But I just don’t see Chuck Schumer being able to keep Democrats united for very long,” Senator Kevin Cramer said.
