In a high-stakes meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon, President Donald Trump will convene with top congressional leaders from both parties, a critical gathering aimed at averting a government shutdown looming just hours away. This pivotal discussion will include Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The urgency of the meeting is underscored by its timing: less than 48 hours before the potential shutdown and just days after President Trump unexpectedly canceled a prior engagement with Schumer and Jeffries. In a pointed message earlier this week, Trump expressed his anticipation for a more grounded discussion, stating on social media, "I look forward to meeting with you when you become realistic about the things that our Country stands for."

At the heart of the negotiations are the expiring health insurance subsidies, a critical Democrat concern, with the party pushing for an extension as part of the broader budget discussions. Meanwhile, Trump and his Republican counterparts are advocating for the Senate to pass a House-approved seven-week stopgap measure, which would delay more comprehensive budget talks. This measure previously saw opposition from all Democratic senators, except Pennsylvania's John Fetterman.

Sources close to the matter indicate that while Republicans like Thune and Johnson are open to discussing the insurance subsidies later, no additional demands will be made by Trump during this meeting. The Republican stance is clear, aiming for a "clean CR" (continuing resolution) that would maintain government funding at current levels while postponing more contentious issues.

The meeting, first reported by Punchbowl News, is set for 2 p.m. Monday. It comes just a day before Senate Republicans plan to reattempt passing the House measure, mere hours before the government funding deadline at midnight Tuesday.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes will be on this crucial assembly, where the ability to compromise—or the lack thereof—could significantly impact millions of Americans depending on stable government operations.