House Democrats announced on Wednesday that they'll release a bill that would end the partial government shutdown and provide at least $5 billion for border security, but none of the funds will be available to construct additional barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. The funding will reportedly cover new technology and more staff to stem the flow of illegal drugs through ports of entry.
"We are hoping to roll that out this week," vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) said. "That it will be setting forth a path forward out of this, and building on what we have been trying to put forward."
This is the first sign of the Democrats willing to negotiate over the main issue that has led to a five-week partial government shutdown. Pres. Trump said he won't sign any bill to fund the closed federal agencies unless it includes his $5.7 billion request for border fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border. Democratic Leaders Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) have said they won't give the President "one penny" more than the $1.3 billion that was included in last year's spending bill.
Earlier today, the Senate blocked two amendments to end the shutdown from coming to the floor for a vote. One amendment reflected Pres. Trump's offer to trade a DACA and TPS amnesty for border fence funding, and the other amendment, offered by Sen. Schumer, would have re-opened the closed agencies for two weeks.
