WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden is set to meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Tuesday to address urgent matters regarding an emergency aid package for Ukraine and Israel, along with averting a potential government shutdown next month, as reported by a White House official.
The congressional leaders expected to attend the meeting include House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
During the meeting, President Biden will emphasize the importance of passing the bipartisan-supported aid package and legislation to ensure the smooth operation of the federal government until the end of September, according to the White House official.
The aid package, totaling $95 billion for national security purposes, includes increased support for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. While the Senate approved the legislation with a 70-29 vote, there has been reluctance in the House to bring the bill to a vote.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted the critical need for Ukraine to receive weapons and ammunition to defend against Russian forces, urging Speaker Johnson to take action.
In addition to the aid package, there is also a looming deadline for government funding to expire, with the first tranche due on Friday and the remainder on March 8 for departments such as Transportation, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer expressed concern over the lack of a concrete plan to avoid a partial shutdown and called on Speaker Johnson to prioritize government funding over partisan disputes.
Speaker Johnson, however, criticized Schumer’s approach as “counterproductive” and emphasized the need to address border security issues promptly.
As tensions escalate and deadlines approach, the outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for both domestic and international affairs. Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds.