© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: U.S. Home of Representatives Democratic chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and U.S. Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) applaud U.S. President Joe Biden through the annual Nationwide Prayer Breakfast on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., Febru
By Steve Holland and Jarrett Renshaw
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden and high Democrats and Republicans in Congress on Tuesday made progress towards avoiding a partial authorities shutdown on the finish of the week, however haven’t lower a deal on paying for weapons for Ukraine’s battle towards Russia.
“We have got a variety of work to do,” Biden mentioned because the assembly opened within the Oval Workplace, with Vice President Kamala Harris at his facet and the 2 high congressional Democrats and two high Republicans sitting on couches close by.
About an hour later, there was optimism {that a} authorities shutdown will likely be averted. “We’ll get the federal government funded,” Republican Home Speaker Mike Johnson advised reporters outdoors the White Home.
Virtually two months in the past, Johnson and Democratic Senate Majority Chief Chuck Schumer agreed on a $1.59 trillion discretionary spending degree for the fiscal 12 months that started on Oct. 1. However political in-fighting by Republicans who management the Home of Representatives by a skinny majority has made it arduous for Johnson to move funding payments.
Talking to reporters afterward, Schumer mentioned it was probably the most intense conferences he has ever been part of, because the Democrats sought to steer Johnson to conform to funding Ukraine.
“It is in his fingers,” Schumer mentioned of Johnson. “We advised him how vital it was. It was passionate.”
Johnson referred to as the talks “frank and trustworthy” and mentioned his major concern is addressing migration alongside the U.S. southern border with Mexico, a topic he mentioned he returned to repeatedly together with in a one-on-one session with Biden.
Biden mentioned he believed an answer might be reached on funding the federal government by a Friday deadline to keep away from a partial authorities shutdown, which he mentioned can be damaging to the U.S. economic system.
Ukraine funding turns into extra pressing daily, Biden mentioned earlier than the assembly.
“I feel the results of inaction are dire,” he mentioned of Ukraine.
A White Home assertion issued after the assembly mentioned Biden “mentioned how Ukraine has misplaced floor on the battlefield in current weeks and is being compelled to ration ammunition and provides on account of congressional inaction.”
SHUTDOWN LOOMS, AGAIN
The spending invoice is being held up by calls for from ultra-conservative Republicans within the Home who need to see spending cuts and coverage positions injected into how {dollars} are spent. A bunch of hard-right Republicans has introduced the federal government to the brink of a shutdown or a partial shutdown 3 times prior to now six months.
Schumer and Johnson traded accusations in current days over who was in charge for the stalemate. On Monday, Schumer advised reporters that “Democrats are doing every little thing we will to keep away from a shutdown.”
The primary batch of presidency funding, which incorporates cash for businesses that oversee agriculture and transportation, will run out on Friday at midnight, whereas funding for some businesses together with the Pentagon and the State Division will expire on March 8.
The federal government spending package deal is separate from the nationwide safety help invoice that features Ukraine and Israel funding.
The Home is beneath stress to move the $95 billion nationwide safety package deal that bolsters help for Ukraine, Israel in addition to the Indo-Pacific. That laws cleared the Senate on a 70-29 vote earlier this month, however Johnson has resisted placing up the help invoice for a vote within the Home.
The White Home has ramped up public stress on Johnson in current weeks as Ukraine marked the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
“What the president desires to see is we need to make it possible for the nationwide safety pursuits of the American folks will get put first and isn’t used as a political soccer,” White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre mentioned. “We need to make it possible for will get executed.”