WASHINGTON- The leaders of House of Representatives Democratic Caucus are all set to issue a letter to President Trump. According to this letter, the government will set aside $5 billion for border security after the president agrees on reopening the government. However, the president cautioned the public on Wednesday that it might take longer than usual for the government to reopen.
This letter issued by the Democrats does not entail the money for the development of a new structure alongside the border on the south, just as the president had demanded. Therefore, it looks harder for the agreement to move forward. However, it is still very significant, as for the first time in the history the leaders of the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus have clearly laid out their demand against compromising to end the government shutdown. This shutdown is in its 33rd day.
According to Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, “It’s a starting point. You know, I think we all want border security. There is no question about it. It’s just that some of the things that are being pursued in the name of border security we disagree with.”
According to Thompson, he was a part of the committee drafting the letter. This letter is going to be issued by the speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.
“No new structures. The only thing we are talking about is existing structures, along with the judges and some other things,” Thompson further added. According to him funds for strengthening entry ports and a few new Customs and Border Protection agents have been proposed.
According to Steny Hoyer, D-Md, House Majority Leader, the letter has not yet been finalized however, she stated: “we are prepared to spend a very substantial sum of money because we share the view that borders need to be secure.”
According to Hoyer, this letter is not by any means a negotiation. She further added, “The letter is going to articulate what we believe is an effective investment to accomplish border security.”
According to Thompson, the undocumented immigrants who settled in the USA as children (also known as “Dreamers”) are not included in the respective proposal.
On Wednesday, Trump said at the White House that the shutdown might prevail due to the disagreement over the security at the border as well as his suggested border wall. According to him, the Democrats are not willing to see criminal activities stopped. He further stated that building this wall over the southern border will bring peace and security to the region. He addressed this issue while answering questions at a health care event.
All these signs indicate that the government is in for a much longer shutdown.
It has been confirmed by White House acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney as he has ordered the agencies to deliver a list of programs that will be affected if the shutdown prevailed for more than weeks or even months.
