"White House Meeting Intensifies Government Shutdown Threat Amid GOP Demands"

Congressional leaders, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, left an "intense" White House meeting with President Biden, expressing commitment to finding a government funding deal by Friday. Discussions included the possibility of a short-term funding extension and the need to pass aid for Ukraine, with tensions arising over border security measures. The leaders emphasized the urgency of providing aid to Ukraine and avoiding a government shutdown, but differences remain on how to address the border crisis.