The White House indicated Thursday that it’s open to a short-term spending bill to end the partial government shutdown, but only if it includes a “large down payment” on President Trump’s proposed border wall.
“Leader Mitch McConnell and Sen. Chuck Schumer are meeting now to see whether or not they can work out of the deadlock,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. “As was made clear to SEn. Lindsey Graham, the 3-week CR would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall.”
Trump said among the offers being discussed to end the shutdown is a “pro-rated down payment for the wall.”
“If they come to a reasonable agreement, I would support it,” Trump told reporters at the White House.
The statement from Sanders was released just as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer were meeting to see if there was any way forward to ending the shutdown.
“At least were talking. It’s better than it was before,” McConnell said late Thursday night.
That discussion came after the Senate killed two proposals for ending the impasse, one offered by Republicans, and another offered by Democrats.
The GOP’s measure included an offer from Trump for $5.7 billion for the wall in exchange for three years of protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children and people in the U.S. with Temporary Protected Status. The proposal from Democrats did not include wall funding but funded government agencies until Feb. 8.
Trump thanked Republicans for “holding” and said he was “honored” they backed his deal.
In her statement, Sanders was referring to Graham’s statement after a meeting with Trump that the “way forward” to reopening the government is “clear.”
“3-week CR that includes a down payment on wall/barrier funding and Democratic priorities for disaster relief showing good faith from both sides,” he tweeted.
The way forward is clear:
* 3 week CR that includes a down payment on wall/barrier funding and Democratic priorities for disaster relief showing good faith from both sides.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 24, 2019
The president’s demand for funding for a wall has sparked an ongoing battle with congressional Democrats, who are opposed to the barrier. Funding for a slew of agencies lapsed Dec. 22, and on Friday, hundreds of thousands of federal workers will miss their second paycheck.
The president delivered a message to federal employees on the verge of missing another paycheck.
“I love them. I respect them. I really appreciate the great job they’re doing,” he said. “Many of those people that are not getting paid are totally in favor of what we’re doing because they know the future of this country is dependent on having a strong border, especially a strong southern border.”
On Wednesday, Trump announced he would be postponing his State of the Union address, scheduled for Jan. 29, until after the shutdown ends. The decision came after Pelosi informed him in a letter the annual speech would not take place in the House chamber due to the shutdown.
The California Democrat initially urged the president to delay the State of the Union, citing security concerns — a suggestion Trump rebuffed at first.
Al Weaver contributed
