Negotiators close to deal as shutdown deadline approaches
'We’re working the best we can to find that middle ground,' said one of the lead Democratic negotiators.
By HEATHER CAYGLE, SARAH FERRIS and MELANIE ZANONA
02/08/2019 04:14 PM EST
Congressional negotiators say they’re close to reaching a deal to avert a shutdown, with Democrats acknowledging that a final compromise would include funding for border barriers — a concession that could spark rebellion within their party.
Lawmakers and aides, however, said Friday that the conference committee remains several days away from a final border security deal as top spending leaders continued to trade offers back and forth.
Negotiators technically have until Feb. 15 to reach an agreement to stave off another shutdown, but lawmakers insist the practical deadline for any agreement is much earlier in the week.
The current negotiations have narrowed to the most difficult of issues, with Democrats seeking to limit the number of detention beds for undocumented immigrants while Republicans are pushing for the highest funding level for barriers they can get.
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https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/08/border-wall-government-shutdown-1159753