WASHINGTON The shuttered parts of the federal government were no closer to being reopened Wednesday after President Donald Trump and congressional leaders met for the first time since the shutdown began nearly two weeks ago.
I dont think any particular progress was made today, but we talked, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters. Were hopeful that somehow in the coming days and weeks well be able to reach an agreement.
The White House described Wednesdays meeting, held in the Situation Room, as a border security briefing.
Trump has rejected Democrats efforts to separate the border security funding fight from unrelated government agencies that have also been closed. Trump told reporters Wednesday that the shutdown will last as long as it takes.
I mean, look, Im prepared. I think the people of the country think Im right, Trump told reporters at a Cabinet meeting.
This is already the fourth-longest government shutdown since the mid-1970s, and the third of Trumps presidency.
Democrats have scheduled votes on two bills to reopen the closed parts of government to take place when they take control of the House on Thursday. Republican leaders say the Senate will not consider either unless Trump endorses them.
One bill would fund all the closed agencies except for the Department of Homeland Security through September when the fiscal year ends. (Senate appropriators previously approved spending levels for these agencies.)
The other bill would fund Homeland Security through Feb. 8, allowing the department to use $1.3 billion provided by Congress last year for border security. But it would not permit the money to be used for a wall. This is identical to legislation the Senate unanimously approved in December in an attempt to avoid the shutdown.
We have given the Republicans a chance to take yes for an answer, Pelosi said after the White House meeting. We are asking the president to open up government. We are giving him a Republican path to do that. Why would he not do it?
McConnell reiterated Wednesday that he will not bring a bill to reopen the government up for a vote unless the president backs it.
The Senate will be glad to vote on a measure that the House passes and … the president will sign, but were not going to vote on anything else, McConnell said.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called Democrats plan a nonstarter because it doesnt include the $5 billion Trump wants for a wall at the southern border, a down payment on the wall he says is necessary for national security. Trump previously promised Mexico would pay for the wall.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., said after the meeting that he had asked Trump why Republicans couldnt back the bill to reopen the unrelated government agencies, such as Interior and State, and debate border security with the government fully functioning.
He could not give a good answer, Schumer said. They couldnt give us one answer why they wouldnt support the first bill … that will open up the government.
