Trump cancels meeting with top Democrats as federal shutdown looms

"Schumer together with his House counterpart, minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, had called for a meeting with Trump to discuss the impasse, and on Tuesday morning announced the president had agreed to sit down. In the meeting, we will emphasize the importance of addressing rising costs, including the Republican healthcare crisis. It's past time to meet and work to avoid a Republican-caused shutdown, they said in a joint statement."

"Congress is up against a 30 September deadline to authorize more funding or spark a shutdown that would see many federal agencies close their doors and furlough workers. While Republicans have proposed continuing funding through 21 November to allow passage of legislation authorizing spending for the rest of the fiscal year, Democrats have seized on the deadline to demand their healthcare priorities be addressed."

"After reviewing the details of the unserious and ridiculous demands being made by the Minority Radical Left Democrats in return for their Votes to keep our thriving Country open, I have decided that no meeting with their Congressional Leaders could possibly be productive, the president said. He dangled the possibility of future talks with the Democrats if they get serious about the future of our Nation. We must keep the Government open, and legislate like true Patriots rather than hold American Citizens hostage, knowing that they want our now thriving Country closed. I'll be happy to meet with them if they agree to the Principles in this Letter. They must do their job!"

President Donald Trump declined to meet with top congressional Democrats to discuss demands tied to keeping the federal government open, calling those demands unserious and ridiculous and saying no meeting would be productive without agreed principles. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused the president of running away from the negotiating table. Congress faces a September 30 deadline to authorize funding or trigger a shutdown that would close many federal agencies and furlough workers. Republicans proposed extending funding to November 21 to finish fiscal-year appropriations, while Democrats pressed healthcare priorities in exchange for votes to keep the government open.

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