Kellyanne Conway said Monday that President Trump is not making demands for a border wall as part of negotiations on the funding measure.
“The president has not injected the wall into the continuing resolution,” said Mrs. Conway, counselor to the president. “That will come after the continuing resolution is passed.”
Mrs. Conway said the president would like to see Congress pass a temporary spending bill that allows the government to reopen prior to continuing the immigration debate. She said the two issues should remain separate.
“The president is open to negotiating on immigration and getting a bill passed after the Democrats reopen the government. They shutdown the government for an unrelated issue and this is on them,” she said.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer said Sunday that he offered to put the border wall funding in any immigration bill in exchange for a continuing resolution, but that Mr. Trump and the Republicans can’t come to an agreement.
The federal government shut down late Friday after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a short-term budget deal. Negotiations are expected to continue as the Senate reconvenes Monday.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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