‘Very Optimistic’: Speaker Johnson Tells Reporters He Believes a Deal Will be Made to Avoid a Government Shutdown
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said he was “very optimistic” after a meeting between President Joe Biden and congressional leaders at the White House.
The meeting came as the House and Senate find themselves in a standstill on issues like border reform and funding for Ukraine as the country continues fighting off a Russian invasion.
Johnson told reporters outside the White House that his priority in the meeting was to make clear that “we must take care of America’s needs first.”
The Republican leader called the southern border a “catastrophe” amid a spike in crossings. A bipartisan border bill has faced opposition from some Republicans, including Johnson who has insisted the president already has the authority to do much of what is laid out in the legislation, such as the emergency power to shut down the border.
Johnson and Republican lawmakers have also been resistant to Ukraine funding, insisting the border must be prioritized.
“I believe the president can take executive authority right now to change [the situation], and I told him that again today in person,” Johnson said.
The congressman did express hope about avoiding a looming government shutdown.
“We have been working in good faith around the clock every single day for months and weeks and over the last several days, quite literally, around the clock to get that job done. We’re very optimistic,” Johnson said. “I hope the other leaders came out here and told you the same. We believe we can get to agreements on these issues and prevent a government shutdown and that’s our first priority.”
Johnson said he is “pursuing various options” on Biden’s supplemental package that provides funding for Ukraine and the border.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the White House meeting “one of the most intense I have ever encountered” and said he warned Johnson that “history is looking over your shoulder” when it comes to Ukraine.
Watch above via CNN.
