President Trump has invited Republican senators to the White House for breakfast Wednesday morning, the same day the government is poised set to set a record for the longest shutdown in history.
A White House official confirmed to The Hill the invite went out to GOP senators. The breakfast will take place before Trump heads to Florida for remarks at an economic conference.
Wednesday will mark the 36th day the government has been shuttered, with few signs of an imminent breakthrough.
Republicans and the White House have pressed for a continuing resolution that funds the government at current levels, while Democrats have insisted they will only support a measure that extends expiring health care subsidies. At least seven Democrats would need to vote with all Republicans to pass any funding measure in the Senate.
Trump has also in recent days pressed Republican senators to eliminate the filibuster, which requires legislation to receive 60 votes to pass. Multiple Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), have expressed skepticism about the idea.
Trump earlier in the shutdown hosted most Republican senators in the White House Rose Garden to express his appreciation for their unity during the shutdown. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was absent and said he was not invited.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked earlier Tuesday what Trump was personally doing to try to end the shutdown.
“He’s pushing Republicans to keep voting and to keep opening up the Senate floor to vote for the clean continuing resolution,” Leavitt said.
