Speaker Johnson: ‘Very Optimistic’ That Congress Can Prevent Government Shutdown 3 Days From Deadline

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other congressional leaders expressed optimism that lawmakers would avert a government shutdown before a Friday deadline after a Feb. 27 meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House. “It was frank and honest,” said Mr. Johnson, who took part in a meeting that also included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). Mr. Johnson also talked with the president one-on-one in the Oval Office. He said he relayed the point that America’s needs must come first, namely dealing with the crisis at the southern border....