President Trump will visit the U.S.-Mexico border Thursday, the White House said Monday, as he continues to demand Congress include $5.7 billion for a wall along the southern border in legislation to reopen parts of the federal government.
“President @realDonaldTrump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis. More details will be announced soon,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders tweeted.
President @realDonaldTrump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis. More details will be announced soon.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 7, 2019
While Trump has remained steadfast in his demand for funding for a barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border, congressional Democrats have rebuffed the president’s request.
As a result of the impasse, funding for several federal agencies lapsed Dec. 22.
The partial government shutdown is currently in its third week, and White House officials met with congressional Democratic leaders over the weekend seeking a way out of the impasse.
Trump, meanwhile, headed to Camp David on Sunday to meet with top administration officials and discuss border security.
The new Democratic-controlled House passed legislation Thursday to fund the affected agencies through Sept. 30 and the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8.
The legislation, however, would allocate $1.3 billion for border security that couldn’t be used for a wall along the southern border.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the bills were effectively dead-on-arrival in the Senate, as the upper chamber would not take up legislation lacking White House support.
