Washington DC [United States]: United States President Donald Trump has hailed the meeting with Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, labeling it an “excellent” one.
“Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval with @SenSchumer – working on solutions for Security and our great Military together with @SenateMajLdr McConnell and @SpeakerRyan,” Trump, lettered, in a Twitter post.
“Making progress – four week extension would be best!” the president added.
Excellent preliminary meeting in Oval with @SenSchumer – working on solutions for Security and our great Military together with @SenateMajLdr McConnell and @SpeakerRyan. Making progress – four week extension would be best!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 19, 2018
However, Schumer, who emerged from the meeting, seemingly was on a different page.
The Democratic leader said, “We discussed all of the major outstanding issues. We made some progress, but we still have a good number of disagreements. The discussions will continue.”
“We had a long and detailed meeting,” Schumer further told reporters on his return to the US Capitol after the approximately 90-minute meeting.
The chiefs of staff for each man – John Kelly for Trump and Mike Lynch for Schumer – also attended the meeting.
The failure to reach a deal at the White House increases the likelihood of the first government shutdown since 2013.
Trump reportedly called the New York Democrat and invited him personally.
The president has spent much of the day on the phone with congressional leaders. (ANI)