Overview
- Trump invited Republican senators to a White House Rose Garden lunch during the third week of the shutdown, with the meeting’s purpose not publicly defined.
- Some GOP senators say the president may need to step in to end the standoff, while others insist Congress should resolve the budget impasse.
- Republican leaders say they oppose conceding to Democrats’ demands linked to July health-care changes and limits on future rescissions.
- Senate leaders note the stopgap now covers just over four weeks, heightening urgency to act as time for regular appropriations dwindles.
- Majority Leader John Thune floated recalling the House to extend the CR, but Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected passing another stopgap.