The White House meeting between President Donald Trump and top Congressional leaders on resolving the ongoing partial Government shutdown ended in a stalemate Wednesday, with Republicans and Democrats sticking to their respective positions over the presidential demand for a US-Mexico border wall.
The President is seeking $5.2 billion in funding for the wall which according to him is a must to prevent flow of illegal immigrants into the US.
The Democrats assert that such a move is a “waste” of taxpayers’ money.
Following their inconclusive Situation Room meeting, Congressional leaders and Trump agreed to meet again on Friday.
Newly elected members of the Congress are scheduled to be sworn in Thursday; the first day of the 116th Congress. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi is all set to be elected as the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
“Important meeting today on Border Security with Republican and Democrat Leaders in Congress. Both parties must work together to pass a Funding Bill that protects this Nation and its people – this is the first and most important duty of government,” Trump said in a tweet after the meeting.
“I remain ready and willing to work with Democrats to pass a bill that secures our borders, supports the agents and officers on the ground, and keeps America Safe. Let’s get it done!” said the US President.
Pelosi told reporters at the White House after the meeting that she plans to go ahead with the Democratic legislation on a spending bill without funding for a border wall. Beginning Thursday, Democrats would enjoy majority in the House of Representatives.
“We are asking the president to open up the government. We are giving him a Republican path to do that. Why would he not do it?” Pelosi told reporters at the White House.