Trump pushes lawmakers to approve funding, end shutdown

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump on Monday urged House Republicans and Democrats to work together to reopen the federal government, pressing lawmakers to pass the Senate-approved funding bill without amendments as a partial shutdown continues to disrupt key agencies.

“I am working hard with Speaker Johnson to get the current funding deal, which passed in the Senate last week, through the House and to my desk, where I will sign it into Law, IMMEDIATELY! We need to get the Government open, and I hope all Republicans and Democrats will join me in supporting this Bill, and send it to my desk WITHOUT DELAY,” Trump said.

Trump says there can be ‘no chances this time’

“There can be NO CHANGES at this time. We will work together in good faith to address the issues that have been raised, but we cannot have another long, pointless, and destructive Shutdown that will hurt our Country so badly- One that will not benefit Republicans or Democrats. I hope everyone will vote, YES!,” Trump wrote. 

Appeal comes as shutdown threatens major agencies 

The appeal comes as the shutdown disrupts key federal agencies, including the Pentagon, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, heightening pressure on lawmakers to act. 

The House Rules Committee scheduled the Senate-passed funding package for consideration on Monday, according to a panel advisory. 

The move follows a weekend call between House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). A spokesperson for Johnson said Jeffries indicated Democrats would not support the bill under suspension of the rules, a fast-track process requiring a two-thirds majority. 

Republicans would have needed roughly 70 Democratic votes to advance the measure under suspension of the rules. Instead, GOP leaders are expected to move the bill through the Rules Committee, meaning Republicans will likely need to pass both the rule and the package largely on their own.

Jeffries has said House Democrats will review whatever emerges from the Senate, while Johnson said he aims to bring the funding package to the House floor by Tuesday.