The White House set high expectations for President Biden’s meeting this week with congressional leaders, saying it hopes the sit-down will advance efforts to avoid a government shutdown and provide Ukraine funding.
Mr. Biden will convene Tuesday with Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democratic; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican; House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican; and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democratic.
The meeting will focus on how to keep the government funded as a partial shutdown looms at the end of the week and getting Mr. Johnson to schedule a vote for the $118 billion security funding package that includes money for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies.
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Schumer were expected to announce a deal Sunday, with funding for certain government agencies and departments set to expire Friday. The remaining funding will expire March 8.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration expects the meeting will be fruitful.
“We’ve done these types of meetings before, and it has moved the ball,” she told reporters. “As it relates to the budget … he was able to move that ball forward.”
Ms. Jean-Pierre pointed out that last month’s White House meeting with congressional leaders resulted in a bipartisan security agreement passed in the Senate. The $118 billion package has stalled in the House, where Mr. Johnson hasn’t set a schedule to bring it to the floor.