93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
(AP) – President Donald Trump is insisting that congressional negotiators working on a compromise border security deal include money for his proposed wall between Mexico and the southern U.S. border.
Trump tweeted that if the negotiators, scheduled to hold their first meeting Wednesday, aren’t “discussing or contemplating a Wall or Physical Barrier, they are Wasting their time!”
Trump’s insistence on a wall led to an impasse with Democrats that resulted in a 35-day partial government shutdown. On Friday, Trump agreed to a temporary deal reopening the government while negotiators work toward a longer-term border security deal.
Democrats have been adamant against a wall. In recent days, Trump has appeared to retreat from using the word. On Tuesday, GOP Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, suggested that “barrier” was “the same thing” as a wall.
Negotiators are facing a Feb. 15 deadline to reach a compromise.
