Politics Democrats skip Trump meeting, raising risk of government shutdown

Democratic leaders in Congress skipped a meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday that was to have focused on the budget, raising the risk of a government shutdown next month with both sides far apart on the terms of an agreement.

Trump tells confidants that a government shutdown might be good for him

The president’s waffling on the issue is hampering talks over a new long-term spending plan.Over the past 10 days, the president has also told advisers that it is important that he is seen as tough on immigration and getting money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, according to two people who have spoken with him. He has asked friends about how a shutdown would affect him politically and has told several people he would put the blame on the Democrats.

Democratic leaders in Congress skipped a meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday that was to have focused on the budget, raising the risk of a government shutdown next month with both sides far apart on the terms of an agreement.

Trump Lobbies GOP on Tax Bill, But McConnell Still Needs Votes Trump ’s Tweet Could Raise Odds of Government Shutdown Hours Before Meetings on Taxes and Spending, Trump Focuses on NFL. Trump Criticizes Schumer and Pelosi For Skipping Meeting .

After Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi informed Trump they would not attend the meeting at the White House, the president and Republican congressional leaders went ahead with the talks without them.

Trump left empty seats on either side of him, with name cards for Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, and Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives. He also criticized them as the cameras rolled during a picture-taking session.

"We have a lot of differences," Trump said. "So they've decided not to show up. They've been all talk and they've been no action and now it's even worse. Now it's not even talk."

Schumer and Pelosi said they pulled out of the meeting because of a tweet Trump sent earlier in the day attacking them as weak on illegal immigration and bent on raising taxes.

Conservatives rebel against House GOP plan to avert shutdown

Hard-right conservatives are rebelling against a plan by House GOP leaders for a two-week reprieve from a possible government shutdown next week. Speaker Paul Ryan and other GOP leaders want to set a new government shutdown deadline just prior to Christmas to give time for talks with Democrats on the budget, hurricane relief and other unfinished business. Right now, Washington faces a Dec. 8 deadline.

The prospect of a government shutdown still poses a potentially serious downside risk for investors, even as our firm belief that the debt ceiling will Boris The Bullet-Dodger. Trump , Democrats Agree On Debt Limit Extension – Highlights, Reaction. Thanks. × × Skip to toolbar. About WordPress.

President Trump raises odds of government shutdown , tweeting that differences with Democratic leaders over immigration could prevent spending Watch: Schumer Talks About Skipping White House Meeting on Senate Floor. “Given that the President doesn’t see a deal between Democrats

"I don't see a deal!" the Republican president wrote on Twitter.

Pelosi tweeted after Trump's White House session that "his empty chair photo opp showed he’s more interested in stunts than in addressing the needs of the American people. Poor Ryan and McConnell relegated to props. Sad!" she added, referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan,

Trump said he would "absolutely blame the Democrats" if a government shutdown takes place.

A Dec. 8 deadline is looming for passing a spending measure needed to prevent a shutdown.

Although Republicans control both chambers of the U.S. Congress, their leaders will likely need to rely on at least some Democratic votes to pass the spending measure.

Democrats have said they will demand help for the "Dreamers" - young people brought to the United States illegally as children - as part of their price for providing votes on the budget measure.

Congress has three choices: approve a massive bill for more than $1 trillion to keep the government operating through Sept. 30, 2018; pass a shorter extension of current funding to buy more time; or fail to pass anything and risk a partial government shutdown.

On Capitol Hill, Schumer said he and Pelosi believed the best path forward would be to negotiate with Republican leaders in Congress instead of going to the White House for a "show meeting."

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Peter Cooney)