WASHINGTON — Democratic leaders are trying to increase the pressure on President Trump to engage with them following his snub on Tuesday when he canceled plans to address their proposals to prevent a partial government shutdown.
However, their efforts have yet to produce results.
Trump canceled a scheduled meeting with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Thursday, just after announcing a discussion with GOP leaders regarding the impending shutdown.
“It couldn’t be easier to sit down and talk; we know we won’t get everything we want, but he won’t even do that,” Schumer expressed during an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Wednesday.
“The American public will be asking, ‘What is he thinking? Why will he not engage?’ There are no justifiable reasons for this.”
Democrats are advocating for various healthcare-related compromises to facilitate a stopgap measure that would keep the government funded until November 21.
In contrast, Trump and Republican leaders are insisting on proceeding with a “clean” continuing resolution that carries no stipulations.
Both Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) have indicated that Congress will address one of the Democrats’ primary requests—an extension of the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies—post the shutdown negotiations.
“This program needs reform, but I believe everyone is willing to engage in discussions on how to approach it meaningfully rather than treating it as a bargaining chip to keep the government open,” Thune told CNN’s “Inside Politics” on Wednesday.
At present, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is currently evaluating ways to extend the subsidies.
If Congress does not reach an agreement, the government faces a partial shutdown after 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.
The proposed “clean” GOP legislation to avert a shutdown passed the House last week but failed in the Senate. A separate stopgap measure endorsed by Democrats also did not succeed in the Senate.
This particular measure included an extension of the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are scheduled to expire at the year’s end, a reversal of the Republicans’ Medicaid reforms present in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (now titled the Working Families Tax Cut Act), and addressed some of Trump’s funding cuts.
Both legislative chambers are currently in recess this week, and Johnson has signaled his intention to keep the House inactive until after the deadline for government funding has passed, as a way to pressure Senate Democrats.
In an effort to mitigate any potential repercussions on Democrats should the government shut down, Jeffries convened a press briefing and vented his frustrations over the situation.
“It is evident that Republicans aim to trigger a government shutdown,” Jeffries remarked. “They aren’t even attempting to disguise their disinterest in reaching a consensus.
“Donald Trump agreed to our request on Saturday to meet in the Oval Office to discuss averting a government shutdown. The meeting was planned for later in the week, but then he wakes up Tuesday and makes an irrational rant, canceling it,” he continued.
“Why? Because he is unwilling to address the Republican healthcare crisis.”
Jeffries also shared that he has not communicated with Johnson about the impending shutdown since last week.
Trump echoed his Truth Social message, stating he canceled the meeting with Jeffries and Schumer due to their “unworthy and absurd demands.”
The president mentioned he would be willing to meet with them if they could “become realistic.”
Both Schumer and Jeffries face considerable pressure from their progressive constituents to utilize the government shutdown negotiations to secure concessions from Republican leaders. Schumer has historically faced backlash from leftist activists, notably in March when he opted not to block a GOP-backed funding bill.
Nevertheless, Senate Minority Leader has not outright ruled out the potential of yielding to Trump’s demands.
