President Trump is sitting down with top Democrats Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi to discuss his immigration plans on Tuesday. His top priority is to obtain funding for his border wall, not least of which is necessary, he argues, because of the migrant caravan headed to the U.S.'s southern border. It was clearly on his mind this morning.
Despite the large Caravans that WERE forming and heading to our Country, people have not been able to get through our newly built Walls, makeshift Walls & Fences, or Border Patrol Officers & Military. They are now staying in Mexico or going back to their original countries.......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018
.....Ice, Border Patrol and our Military have done a FANTASTIC job of securing our Southern Border. A Great Wall would be, however, a far easier & less expensive solution. We have already built large new sections & fully renovated others, making them like new. The Democrats,.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018
....however, for strictly political reasons and because they have been pulled so far left, do NOT want Border Security. They want Open Borders for anyone to come in. This brings large scale crime and disease. Our Southern Border is now Secure and will remain that way.......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018
.....I look forward to my meeting with Chuck Schumer & Nancy Pelosi. In 2006, Democrats voted for a Wall, and they were right to do so. Today, they no longer want Border Security. They will fight it at all cost, and Nancy must get votes for Speaker. But the Wall will get built...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018
Rumor has it that the Democrats are going to offer Trump $1.3 billion for border fence construction, but he wanted $5 billion. That offer may not have much luck on Capitol Hill, anyway.
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"But that $1.6 billion would struggle to pass the House, where Democrats won’t support it because they say it’s too much and Republicans because it’s not enough," the Washington Post notes.
If he doesn't get approval from the congressional leaders, Trump tweeted that it's no sweat. He doesn't need them to get the job done.
....People do not yet realize how much of the Wall, including really effective renovation, has already been built. If the Democrats do not give us the votes to secure our Country, the Military will build the remaining sections of the Wall. They know how important it is!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 11, 2018
Last week, Congress agreed on a short term spending plan to keep the government funded until December 21. Immigration remains one of the main obstacles to reaching a budget deal. If they don't reach the deadline, funding will run out for agencies like Homeland Security.
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