Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has “never been more depressed” about the state of talks to end the partial government shutdown, he shared with reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday.
"I think we're stuck. I just don't see a pathway forward. I don't see a way forward," Sen. Graham said. "I have never been more depressed about moving forward than I am right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward."
His efforts to restart bipartisan talks on border wall funding came to a halt Thursday as Trump reportedly opposed the idea of signing stopgap funding bills before serious negotiations on the border wall started.
"The president's not going to back down," he added. "The Democrats are apparently not going to negotiate until the government is open, and if you even open the government, the House isn't going to negotiate about funding for the wall."
"Somebody's got to like get some energy to fix this," he said. "I've run out of ideas."
Graham’s remarks reflect the building frustration on Capitol Hill on the 20th day of the partial government shutdown over President Trump’s $5 billion demand for border wall funding which the Democrats are refusing to meet.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) also expressed frustration over the "shutdown idiocy cycle," commenting Wednesday that "nobody wants to give anybody a win."
President Trump has indicated that he is willing to declare a national emergency in order to get funding for the border wall. However, many have argued that the move’s legality is questionable and would be challenged.
Update: Sen. Graham called on President Trump to declare a national emergency to fund the wall Thursday evening.
Lindsey Graham now calling on Trump to declare a national emergency pic.twitter.com/VQ2gvRF1O4
— Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) January 10, 2019