Donald Trump confirmed he met with congressional leaders from the Democratic and Republican parties on Wednesday. But the partial government shutdown continues as they did not reach an agreement specifically on the President’s demand for a funding bill to build to entirely close up the U.S.-Mexico border.
It can be recalled that Trump was supposed to sign a funding bill in December. But the President later refused to because it does not include the $5 billion he has been asking for to build the said wall. Then the current partial government shutdown affecting 800,000 government employees started last Dec. 22.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA 12th District) — expected to become the next House Speaker — told the media they intend to vote on ending the shutdown once the Congress is back in session on Thursday. The Democrats are reportedly going to propose a couple of funding bills, one of which allocates $1.3 billion for the fixing and maintenance of the currently placed fence along the border. But still no separate funding for the building of a new wall like what Donald Trump wanted.
In the latest tweets Trump posted, he said he is always “ready and willing to work with Democrats” to reach an agreement about the border security. But then he immediately reiterated, “Sadly, there can be no REAL Border Security without the Wall!” The last message could mean that this funding issue would be a recurring debate and, unfortunately, might cause more government shutdowns in the future if not completely resolved anytime soon.
Even though Donald Trump seems adamant in getting his billions of funding for the wall, one of the popular conservative personalities thinks he will agree to compromise soon. Ann Coulter said on the “Mark Simone Show" (via The Hill), “For one thing, he actually did shut down the government — though don’t worry, he’ll fold in the end.” Her latest comments came after she taunted Trump’s legacy would become a “joke” and a would seem like a “scam” if he eventually signs on a funding bill without the $5 billion allocations for the border wall.