President Donald Trump and congressional leadership are considering a short-term funding bill in order to avoid a government shutdown due to the lack of congressional support for funding Trump’s long-sought border wall, according to multiple reports.
“Several” unnamed people briefed on talks told The Washington Post that congressional negotiators and the Trump administration are “discussing” a one-week funding measure.
And “multiple Republican sources” told Politico that Republican congressional leaders are considering funding the government “for a week or two,” and are leaning “toward one week” of funding.
As it stands, Congress must fund the government by Friday. Trump has demanded $5 billion for his border wall and said in November that “this would be a very good time to do a shutdown” over border wall funding.
Trump is scheduled to meet with Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Tuesday, Politico noted. Former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One Friday night: “If they [lawmakers] come, which they have, to talk about an extension because of President Bush’s passing, I would absolutely consider it and probably give it.”
