Washington was abuzz and surprised over reports that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was so eager to get a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals deal passed, that he was willing to give President Trump $1.6 billion in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
That too good to be true offer was too good to be true, according to Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).
Schumer “took it off,” Durbin said. “He called the White House yesterday and said it’s over.”
Back to square one.
The government shut down Friday after Democrats refused to support the spending bill that did not protect DACA recipients. Republicans used it to paint Democrats as placing illegal immigrants over our nation's military.
It was shortlived. Congress voted Monday to reopen the government until February 8. Schumer noted that he was given a concession by McConnell that they would consider immigration legislation by the deadline.
"If he does not honor our agreement, it will be a breach of trust, not only with the Democratic senators but with several members of his own party as well,” Schumer warned on Tuesday.
Still, liberal groups were furious that Schumer caved to the GOP without protecting the rights of Dreamers.
President Trump shared his doubts on Twitter Tuesday that the two parties will be able to reach an agreement by February.
Nobody knows for sure that the Republicans & Democrats will be able to reach a deal on DACA by February 8, but everyone will be trying....with a big additional focus put on Military Strength and Border Security. The Dems have just learned that a Shutdown is not the answer!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 23, 2018
One thing is for sure: The Schumer Shutdown was wildly unpopular.