Democrats turn down White House invitation for shutdown talks

[mystery-ak]

Democrats turn down White House invitation for shutdown talks
By Jordan Fabian and Scott Wong - 01/15/19 12:08 PM EST

No Democrats attended a lunch on Tuesday with President Trump designed to reach an agreement to end the government shutdown and fund a border wall, as the president’s attempt to force leaders back to the negotiating table fell flat.

Trump invited several moderate House Democrats to the White House in an effort to undermine Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who has refused to grant Trump his demand for $5.7 billion in wall funding. But the group turned down the invitation.

“Today, the president offered both Democrats and Republicans the chance to meet for lunch at the White House. Unfortunately, no Democrats will attend,” White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement ahead of the meeting.

A group of nine House Republicans were scheduled to meet with the president, but Sanders said “it’s time for the Democrats to come to the table and make a deal.”

 more
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/425425-democrats-turn-down-white-house-invitation-for-shutdown-talks

[libertybele]

...meanwhile .... the Gang of 20 that consists of 10 DEMS is making their own deal???  So ... the DEMS and the RINO GOP are trying to go around this President.  My opinon; VETO what you don't like Mr. President - the people are with YOU!

[skeeter]

I notice Chuck and Nancy are no longer the face of the wall opposition. It's the generic 'democrats' now.

I guess they and the media didn't like the reviews they got from their 'democrat response' broadcast.

[ABX]

...meanwhile .... the Gang of 20 that consists of 10 DEMS is making their own deal???  So ... the DEMS and the RINO GOP are trying to go around this President.  My opinon; VETO what you don't like Mr. President - the people are with YOU!

If they get enough to agree though, his veto won't matter. They can over-ride it.

[libertybele]

If they get enough to agree though, his veto won't matter. They can over-ride it.

Well, then Trump needs to declare a National Emergency now.

[ABX]

Well, then Trump needs to declare a National Emergency now.

That's one of the odd things about this. If he truly believes this is the massive crisis he says, why didn't he get this done when his party had control of all the branches- that would have been easier for a master negotiator (sic) to work with. So now, if it is an emergency, just declare it so. For goodness sake, Obama declared a national emergency over Swine Flu.

https://ems-solutionsinc.com/blog/h1n1-swine-flu-obama-declares-h1n1-a-national-emergency/
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33459423/ns/health-cold_and_flu/t/obama-declares-swine-flu-national-emergency/


Those aren't even the only way he could do this. The existing Secure Fence Act is passed and under construction. Unlike some believe because of the title, it isn't limited to a fence. The Secure Fence Act actually allows engineers to determine the best method for securing and allows that flexibility- so if they determine a wall in some areas would work, then they can design and build for that. It is passed, there is existing recurring funding, and because it isn't a major new bill, it doesn't have to go through the traditional budget approval cycle.

It is almost like he either wants the fight for the fight's sake, or he is bound and determined to have a wall that will have his name on it versus just riding on someone elses' bill.

[libertybele]

That's one of the odd things about this. If he truly believes this is the massive crisis he says, why didn't he get this done when his party had control of all the branches- that would have been easier for a master negotiator (sic) to work with. So now, if it is an emergency, just declare it so. For goodness sake, Obama declared a national emergency over Swine Flu.

https://ems-solutionsinc.com/blog/h1n1-swine-flu-obama-declares-h1n1-a-national-emergency/
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/33459423/ns/health-cold_and_flu/t/obama-declares-swine-flu-national-emergency/


Those aren't even the only way he could do this. The existing Secure Fence Act is passed and under construction. Unlike some believe because of the title, it isn't limited to a fence. The Secure Fence Act actually allows engineers to determine the best method for securing and allows that flexibility- so if they determine a wall in some areas would work, then they can design and build for that. It is passed, there is existing recurring funding, and because it isn't a major new bill, it doesn't have to go through the traditional budget approval cycle.

It is almost like he either wants the fight for the fight's sake, or he is bound and determined to have a wall that will have his name on it versus just riding on someone elses' bill.

What you state is true and I have stated several times that he should have taken this strong stance from the very beginning instead of waiting till just before the new Congress was sworn in.  It isn't only odd to me, but I question reason and motive.

Secondly, yes, the Secure Fence Act of 2006 was passed by BOTH Houses, but only a small amount of funding was provided and now one has pressed the issue till now and the recent monies allocated to the budget for the 'fence' was only for repairs.  I also had read that in that budget there was a clause that no $$ would be awarded for future additional fence.  This is what I think the true hold up is.  Trump knew he wasn't going to get the money and perhaps he thought by waiting and making it a make or break issue at the last minute, he would get some money.  Obviously didn't work.

He really only has one option...however the Gang of 20 gathering will try to force Trump's hand.  It's a wait and see game now.  The closer we get towards the next election, the less chance there is of getting monies.  So, really the only chance is to declare a national emergency. He know it will be tied up in courts so he maybe biding his time waiting for Ginsburg to step down.

[Restored]

It is almost like he either wants the fight for the fight's sake, or he is bound and determined to have a wall that will have his name on it versus just riding on someone elses' bill.

Note: The Democrats shut down the government to keep him from getting the Wall funding. He had the Wall funding on Dec 21st and the Democrats voted against the Continuing Resolution because of it.