President Trump warned Tuesday that a government shutdown next month could be unavoidable, and he blamed Democratic leaders for forcing it because he said they want to block funding for a border wall and raise taxes.
The president cast doubt on the ability to reach a budget deal before the Dec. 8 deadline in a tweet just hours before a meeting with congressional leadership, including Democratic leaders Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
“Meeting with ’Chuck and Nancy’ today about keeping government open and working. Problem is they want illegal immigrants flooding into our Country unchecked, are weak on Crime and want to substantially RAISE Taxes. I don’t see a deal!” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter.
The Democratic leaders have strongly opposed the GOP tax cut plan and funding for a wall on the border with Mexico, which Mr. Trump has made a condition for a deal to grant legal resident status to illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children or Dreamers.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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