Schumer says 'we need a serious negotiation' with the GOP to keep the government funded

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N

WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Sunday that Congress can prevent a government shutdown when money expires this week, but only if Republicans engage in a “serious negotiation.”

In an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Schumer told moderator Kristen Welker that he called Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on Friday to encourage a meeting, which the White House accepted on Saturday evening.

Schumer said reaching a deal “depends on the Republicans.”

“We need the meeting. It’s a first step, but only a first step. We need a serious negotiation,” Schumer said. “Now, if the president at this meeting is going to rant and just yell at Democrats and talk about all his alleged grievances and say this, that and the other thing, we won’t get anything done.”

“But my hope is it’ll be a serious negotiation,” he said, adding that he avoided shutdowns as majority leader by negotiating with Republicans. “You don’t do this by one party putting together a completely partisan bill and saying take it or leave it.”