Speaker of the US House Mike Johnson speaks with reporters after a meeting in the Oval Office with President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders, Feb 27, 2024, in Washington. (PHOTO / AP)

WASHINGTON - US House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he is "very optimistic" that Congress will avoid a government shutdown by the Friday deadline, after meeting with President Joe Biden and top congressional leaders at the White House.

"We believe that we can get to agreement on these issues and prevent a government shutdown, and that's our first responsibility," said Johnson, a conservative Republican from Louisiana.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, said that during a private meeting on Tuesday with Biden and other congressional leaders, Johnson expressed a strong desire to unequivocally avoid a government shutdown

"We will get the government funded and we'll keep working on that," Johnson told reporters after the White House meeting, less than four days before the deadline for partial government funding.

READ MORE: Biden to meet Congress leaders with shutdown clock ticking

This deadline is crucial as four out of the 12 spending bills are set to expire. Failure to take congressional action this week will result in the closure of numerous federal programs and agencies. The remaining eight bills are due to expire on March 8.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, said that during a private meeting on Tuesday with Biden and other congressional leaders, Johnson expressed a strong desire to unequivocally avoid a government shutdown.

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In January, Congress approved a stopgap funding bill that would keep the government open into early March, buying lawmakers more time to finish the formal appropriations process for fiscal year 2024, which began on Oct 1, 2023.

Congress previously approved stopgap funding measures in September and in November 2023.

Despite Johnson's efforts to steer clear of another so-called "continuing resolution", there may be limited alternatives available at this point, according to the Politico. 

Asylum-seeking migrants line up in a makeshift, mountainous campsite to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico, Feb 2, 2024, near Jacumba Hot Springs, California. (PHOTO / AP)

Border security comes first

Johnson also said he still considered strengthening border security a more urgent priority than aiding Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

"Let me say this: When I showed up today, my purpose was to express what I believe is the obvious truth, and that is that we must take care of America's needs, first. When you talk about Americans' needs, you have to talk first about our open border," Johnson told the media.

READ MORE: US Senate blocks border bill, aid amid Republican objection

He said he also met with the president one-on-one after the group meeting.

Biden has urged Congress to approve the supplemental budget request from his administration that included some $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine

"So I brought that issue up repeatedly today in that room," Johnson said of the need to address border security. "And again, one on one with the President. I think that's our responsibility to bring that up."

The speaker has been withholding a vote in his chamber on a Senate-passed $95 billion foreign aid package, the bulk of which will go to Ukraine to help the country sustain its fighting against Russia.

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"And Ukraine, I think the need is urgent," Biden said in remarks delivered before the meeting.

"I think the consequences of inaction every day in Ukraine are dire," Biden said, urging Congress to approve the supplemental budget request from his administration that included some $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine.