Washington (People's Daily) - President Trump met with Senate Republicans on the new tax bill at noon (EST) today, and then was supposed to meet with top Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer later in the afternoon but they announced they wouldn’t be there after Trump lashed out at them via Twitter early Monday morning. 

“Meeting with ‘Chuck and Nancy’ today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal,” tweeted President Trump.

Two hours later Pelosi tweeted, “Given that the President doesn’t see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead.”

The White House meeting was supposed to facilitate an agreement preventing a potential government shutdown next week. Right now lawmakers are faced with a new fiscal deadline as government funding expires December 8.

Republican Congressional leaders need Democrat votes to keep the government open beyond the expiration date.

Congress has a lot to work out this week. Besides the budget issue, Senate Republican leaders are going after the votes needed for the new tax bill. The bill will face a key test when the Senate Budget Committee meets to consider the measure this afternoon.

So far, several Republican Senators have expressed concern for different reasons, while Senate Democrats are expected to hold a unified opposition. Earlier this morning Senator Schumer, attacking the Republican’s plan to rush through the bill, said they are,“legislating in an irresponsible way.”