President Trump on Tuesday said it is “too early” to determine whether a partial government shutdown will be averted, even as his White House signaled…
President Trump on Tuesday said it is “too early” to determine whether a partial government shutdown will be averted, even as his White House signaled it wants to avoid a funding lapse.
“We’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked about the prospect of a shutdown. “It’s too early to say.”
The president also stressed he is determined to get $5 billion for his long-desired wall along the southwest border.
“We need border security,” he said.
Despite Trump’s noncommittal comments, the chances of a shutdown appeared to diminish after a day of negotiating on Capitol Hill.
Lawmakers face a Friday deadline to approve funding for seven government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Negotiations have been held up over Trump’s demand for wall funding, which Democrats have rejected.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) predicted on Tuesday there would not be a shutdown, saying the Trump administration is “extremely flexible” in striking a spending deal.
