Republican congressional leaders have thus far been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince President Trump to ease up on demands for his border wall funding in order to avoid a shutdown at the end of the week, The Washington Post reported.
And top Republicans, like incoming Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) are fresh out of ideas for a compromise.
“If there is (a plan to avoid shutdown), I’m not aware of it,” Cornyn said following a meeting with Senate Republican leadership Monday night, according to the Post. “No Senate Republican wants to see a shutdown. … Discussions are preliminary and premature, but there’s — obviously, we have no intention of having a government shutdown.”
At the Monday evening meeting, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) reportedly told those in attendance that “we’re waiting for them,” referring to the White House, adding that he doesn’t know “where exactly the White House stands,” in the Post’s words.
Congress has until Friday to pass a spending bill, or a partial funding bill, but Republicans know they don’t have enough Democratic support for the $5 billion Trump wants for his border wall.
The White House reportedly has a plan to keep the government open, according to the Post.
