UPDATE II:
Rush Limbaugh just stated @realDonaldTrump notified him personally that he is either getting money for the border, or he is shutting the government down.
— Chris Stigall (@ChrisStigall) December 20, 2018
UPDATE: House Speaker Paul Ryan told reporters staked out at the White House President Trump will not sign the current funding deal.
"The president informed us he will not sign the bill that came from the Senate last evening because of his legitimate concerns for border security. So what we're going to do is go back to the House and work with our members," Ryan said.
WATCH: Speaker Ryan: "The president said he will not sign this bill, so we're going to go back and work on adding border security to this." https://t.co/9cU08jz4nv pic.twitter.com/MFUHTFxKMG
— NBC News (@NBCNews) December 20, 2018
Ryan, along with other House leadership and members of the Freedom Caucus, had a "productive" meeting which lasted for more than an hour. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has provided a read out.
Readout from President Trump’s meeting with Republican House members: pic.twitter.com/QXGkHUrXhL
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 20, 2018
A number of Republicans House members who lost their re-election bids in November, have already left town.
BREAKING: Pres won't sign funding bill to avert shutdown. Emerging from meeting with @POTUS, @SpeakerRyan and @GOPLeader say they'll go back to work on a bill that adds the funding for border security that the President wants. "We believe there's still time," says McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/mG9y1TqaE4
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 20, 2018
***Original post***
President Trump put the current government funding bill on hold Thursday morning just one day ahead of a government shutdown deadline Friday night. He will meet with House Leadership and members of the Freedom Caucus at the White House Thursday afternoon to discuss the inclusion of border security in the bill.
“The President is having a meeting with Republican House Members at noon today. At this moment, the President does not want to go further without border security, which includes steel slats or a wall. The President is continuing to weigh his options," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders released in a statement.
When I begrudgingly signed the Omnibus Bill, I was promised the Wall and Border Security by leadership. Would be done by end of year (NOW). It didn’t happen! We foolishly fight for Border Security for other countries - but not for our beloved U.S.A. Not good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows made an impassioned plea on the House floor Wednesday and urged President Trump not to back down on funding for the border wall.
“Mr. President, we're going to back you up if you veto this, back you up. If you veto this bill, we'll be there, more importantly, the American people will be there. They'll be there to support you. Let's build the wall and make sure we do our job in Congress," Meadows said.
Congressmen Jim Jordan and Andy Biggs, along with other members, are making the same case. Jordan will be at the White House.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) December 20, 2018
Fool the American people FOUR TIMES, shame on Congress.
Secure the border. #DoWhatWeSaid pic.twitter.com/ZmjPAPBTt8
.@freedomcaucus members have been consistent for 2 years: fund & build the wall. It is completely unnecessary to stand idle until funding deadlines arrive, but since we're here again, let's fight for what we promised the American people. Anything less is a breach of trust.
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) December 20, 2018
During a meeting with incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last week, President Trump said he would shut the government down if he doesn't receive funding for the wall.
"I am proud to shut down the government over border security," Trump said. "I will take the mantle."
"They're pouring into our country. We have to have border security. We have to have a wall," he continued.
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