President Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remained dug in Tuesday — the 32nd day of the partial government shutdown — even as Congress was poised to take up legislation this week that would reopen it.
“Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security,” Trump posted on Twitter. “With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave!”
Pelosi called on lawmakers to pass funding bills to get federal employees back to work.
“This week, @HouseDemocrats will vote on more bipartisan bills to re-open government, and act to bolster funding for border security solutions that work,” the California Democrat wrote.
“@realDonaldTrump & @senatemajldr need to stop holding Americans hostage, stop blocking these bills, and #EndTheShutdown now.”
Later Tuesday morning, Trump boasted about how he and Republicans are on the same page about not budging on his demand for a wall.
“Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border,” Trump said. “If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!”
The House and Senate plan to take up legislation this week to end the longest shutdown in US history, but the measures stand little chance of passing.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he will introduce a spending measure — known as the “End the Shutdown and Secure the Border Act” — this week that will include the $5.7 billion that Trump wants to fund his barrier and temporary protections for immigrants brought to the US illegally by their parents.
But it faces an uncertain future because Republicans, who control the Senate 53-47, would need seven Democrats to vote for the measure to get to the 60 votes required for passage.
So far, no Democrats have said they would.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Republicans are offering nothing new.
“President Trump and Senate Republicans are still saying: ‘Support my plan or the government stays shut,'” said Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman. “That isn’t a compromise or a negotiation — it’s simply more hostage taking.”
In the House, which Democrats control, Pelosi will push legislation that funds a number of federal agencies and includes $1 billion for border security but no funds for the wall.
