GOP lawmakers confident in shutdown aversion despite 'intense' Ukraine aid meeting

Despite far-right members' opposition to a bipartisan government spending deal, several Republican leaders are "optimistic" that a government shutdown won't happen following a Tuesday, February 27 meeting with President Joe Biden, The New York Times reports.

According to the report, "it was not clear whether the progress would yield an agreement before midnight on Friday, when government funding for several agencies is slated to lapse, with money for the remainder of federal agencies on track to run out on March 8."

The Times notes "ultraconservative" House Freedom Caucus members "have brought the government to the brink of a shutdown or a partial shutdown three times in the past six months as they have sought more spending cuts and conservative policy conditions written into how federal money is spent."

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A portion of the bipartisan deal would include funding for Ukraine in its fight against Russia, which led to an "intense" discussion during the meeting, according to US Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). He said, "Everyone in that room was telling Speaker [Mike] Johnson (R-LA) how vital" providing aid was.

However, following a separate meeting with "three top congressional leaders," and a "one on one" with Biden, Johnson said, "We're very optimistic" a shutdown will be averted.

"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," the Louisiana lawmaker emphasized.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell added, "We are making some real headway on the appropriations process."

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The New York Times' report is available here (subscription required).