Lawmakers Reach Deal ‘In Principle’ to Avoid Shutdown With $1.375 Billion for 'Barriers' - But No Wall

Monica Sanchez | February 11, 2019
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As the possibility of another government shutdown looms, top negotiating lawmakers have reportedly reached a deal “in principle” that would provide for $1.375 billion for “physical barriers” but no wall.

The deal was reached by the top Democrats and Republicans from both the House and Senate Appropriations committees who revealed that they had reached an agreement after emerging from talks Monday night. 

Fox News reports,

When asked if they had an agreement that President Trump would approve, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told reporters: ‘We think so. We hope so.’ Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, declined to give details of the deal but said a final text could be released by Wednesday.

Lawmakers have until 11:59 p.m. Friday to get the agreement through both houses of Congress and signed by Trump before several Cabinet-level departments shut down and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed in what would be the second partial government shutdown this year.

Sources tell Fox News the [$1.375] billion can be used only for new construction that would cover approximately 55 miles of border territory in the Rio Grande Valley.

The news came while President Trump held a rally in El Paso, Texas Monday night where he said, “We must finish the wall ... It’s happening."

He also slammed Democrats who almost tanked border security talks by attempting to put a cap on the number of beds ICE could use to detain migrants.

“Slashing ICE detention is the first step of many for the far Left,” said Trump.

“We will never abolish ICE,” he continued. “So let me say very clearly to those pushing this ridiculous and radical agenda. I will never sign a bill that forces the mass release of violent criminals into our country.”

As to a solution for the detention beds issue, Sen. Shelby told reporters, "We got an agreement on all of it."

Fox News revealed later Monday night that the deal provides for as many as 52,000 beds for detainees but has "no technical limit on the amount."

The President has threatened to declare a national emergency in order to secure the funding to build a wall along the U.S.-Southern border if Congress fails to provide the $5.7 billion he requested.  

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