Lawmakers seemed to reach a deal “in principle” Monday night that will avert another government shutdown, if the package – still being written – passes both chambers and gets the president’s signature before Friday night, when current government spending runs out.
Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said “the White House has been consulted all along” and that he was given “latitude” to negotiate on the administration’s behalf, according to Politico.
The agreement reportedly budgets $1.375 billion for a physical barrier on the Southern border, less than the President asked for but more than Democrats initially wanted to give.
“Some people may think it’s a great deal,” House Appropriations Chair Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) said, according to CQ. “Some people may come and attack it. But we did it together.”
The lower level of funding for border security raises the possibility President Trump may divert DOD resources to fund those priorities.
DOD Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. James K. McCann
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