President Donald Trump has made it no secret that he needs $5 billion for his proposed border wall. He’s even threatened to shut the government down over the issue. Legislators in Washington, D.C. have decided to extend the federal government’s budget through Dec. 21st, at which time they’ll duke it out over Trump’s border wall, CNBC reported. The reason for the extension is simple: members of Congress put their fight on hold after President George H.W. Bush passed this weekend. Funeral arrangements shifted legislators’ focus from the budget. They also wanted the focus to be on Bush’s legacy, not Congress’ fight over immigration policies.
Democrats have said they’d be more than happy to give Trump $1.6 billion towards border security and fencing although they refuse to let him have the border wall he envisions. Negotiations appear to be improving across the board. The only sticking point for both sides is the wall, NPR reported.
Republicans, however, are now set on getting $2.5 billion in this year’s budget and another $2.5 billion in next year’s budget. According to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), if members of Congress were left to negotiate and Trump didn’t have a stake in the budget, they would be able to pass a budget without any problem.
“If there’s any shutdown, it’s on President Trump’s back,” Schumer said. “Left to our own devices, the Senate and House could come to an agreement.” Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) were set to meet with Trump about the budget on Tuesday morning, although that meeting has been rescheduled for next week because of the various funeral arrangements and ceremonies for President Bush.
