@ChadPergram
43m43 minutes ago
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Hearing very mixed things about the state of play on securing a spending agreement next week on border security and to avert a government shutdown.
Offers have been traded. More offers coming.
One knowledgeable Congressional source confided in Fox that they were more skeptical of getting a border security agreement today than yesterday.
Some border security sources conceded to Fox that while they thought they would be able to reach an accord, they were worried Trump wouldn’t sign the measure. Part of that is because Trump can be unpredictable The other part is…Trump won’t get full money for the border wall.
On border funding, source told Fox “It’s not going to be good no matter what they reach and he won’t sign it.”
Even so, the trick, as always, is getting the votes.
You’ve heard me say this before: it’s about the math, it’s about the math, it’s about the math.
IF there is to be an agreement, it would likely require a wide swath of Hse Dems/GOpers…potentially with the blessing of Pelosi. Conservatives & liberals would likely oppose the pact. A coalition in the middle could provide the votes
On the border security talks, now this: President Trump IS NOT going to get $5.7 billion for a wall. And it’s doubtful he will get even $2 billion.
The TOTAL size of the DHS spending bill will likely to clock in around $49 billion. If conferees were to explode spending for the wall, then they would have to cut other DHS priorities, potentially jeopardizing nat'l security. As one source put it “you don’t get your icebreaker”
Fox is told the number devoted to a physical barrier would be above $1.3 billion and may top out at $1.6 billion. There was hope the money for a wall, border, fencing or whatever you want to call it, would be much higher. But it doesn’t appear Dems would bend much further
If Dem conferees want SOME money for a physical barrier, they will want something in exchange. consider this from conferee Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA): “Like in any negotiation, Republican want some form of physical barriers. It’s what do we get in exchange for that?”
Fox is told Dems are adding restrictions as to how the money could be spent. 2nd, Democrats are going back into PREVIOUS spending measures from other fiscal years to impose limitations. Dem limits on ICE beds is still an issue
Fox has STARTED to hear a little bit of rattling around about an interim spending bill to bridge the gap for a few days if conferees can’t sort this out by early next week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) appeared opposed to that when pressed by Fox late Thursday
Republicans and Democrats exchanged offers yesterday on the border security conference cmte. Fox is told Republicans are supposed to send back an offer to Democrats shortly. But Fox is told there is still a lot to do to finish the bill
Last edited by Red neck; 02-08-2019 at 03:39 PM..