by: Daveda Gruber:
On Tuesday Republicans were urged not to “cave” on border security. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is ready to begin the process for a vote on legislation to fund a border wall and the government.
President Trump took to Twitter on the 32nd day of the partial shutdown to elaborate:
“The Democrats are playing politics with Border Security.” @foxandfriends
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. 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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
On Saturday Trump did offer an olive branch to the Democrats and it was rejected before he even spoke.
Trump’s compromise consisted of wall funding and other border measures in exchange for protections for immigrants from unsafe countries and those brought to the country illegally as children.
Democrats have rejected the $5.7 that Trump has proposed for a wall or barrier.
The Democrat controlled House has passed a series of measures but they lack wall funding. They are a no-go for Republicans.
The bill that McConnell is proposing is modeled after Trump’s compromise and will probably need 60 votes in the Senate. Republicans only have fifty-three seats in the Senate. They need seven Democrats to join the Republicans if the Republican can get the entire 53 votes.
Since the partial shutdown began Dec. 22nd, $12.7 billion in supplemental disaster relief and funding for nine government departments have not received any funding.
McConnell hopes to start debate on the measure as soon as possible but it could be filibustered by Democrats who wish to obstruct anything that Trump may want.
If this happens, the debate may not even begin until late Friday.
If the bill gets passed by the Senate, it could then put pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
This would put the ball back in the Democrats’ court and make them responsible for the continuation of the shutdown.
On Monday Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s, D-N.Y., office reiterated that Democrats were unwilling to negotiate any border security funding until Trump re-opens the government.
Schumer spokesman Justin Goodman said, “Nothing has changed with the latest Republican offer. President Trump and Senate Republicans are still saying: ‘Support my plan or the government stays shut.’ That isn’t a compromise or a negotiation, it’s simply more hostage taking.”
The “hostage taking” phrase has been used as a talking point by Democrats.
