Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell informed his Democratic colleagues that he's holding a vote to "immediately open the government" on Thursday. The government has been shuttered for 32 days now as President Trump and Democrats continue to butt heads over border security. As Trump suggested, McConnell's legislation will include $5.7 billion for border security, including funds to build a wall.
Democratic leadership insists they're not paying for Trump's border barrier, but McConnell urged his colleagues to "put the country ahead of politics and take 'yes' for an answer."
Over the weekend Trump offered a compromise deal. If Democrats agreed to the wall, he'd offer temporary protections for "Dreamers," individuals participating in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Conservatives weren't thrilled about it, and the Democrats rejected it outright.
On Twitter Tuesday Trump commended congressional Republicans for their laser focus.
Never seen @senatemajldr and Republicans so united on an issue as they are on the Humanitarian Crisis & Security on our Southern Border. If we create a Wall or Barrier which prevents Criminals and Drugs from flowing into our Country, Crime will go down by record numbers!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019
McConnell's proposal on Thursday would reopen the nine shuttered federal departments and dozens of agencies through Oct. 1. It'll also include $12.7 billion in disaster aid.
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Meanwhile, Democrats plan to vote on their own bill.
This week, @HouseDemocrats will vote on more bipartisan bills to re-open government, and act to bolster funding for border security solutions that work. @realDonaldTrump & @senatemajldr need to stop holding Americans hostage, stop blocking these bills, and #EndTheShutdown now.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 22, 2019
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