President Trump sent a warning to the bipartisan committee working border security negotiations on Wednesday to be sure the wall is included in their talks.
“If the committee of Republicans and Democrats now meeting on Border Security is not discussing or contemplating a Wall or Physical Barrier, they are Wasting their time!” Mr. Trump tweeted.
Congress authorized the 17-member bipartisan committee on Friday after the president agreed to let the government reopen while lawmakers continue to barter over a border wall and security.
The conference is made up of four Republicans from the Senate and four from the House. Three Senate Democrats and six of their House colleagues were also selected.
Lawmakers have until Feb. 15 to reach a deal that can pass both chambers and get the president’s signature in order to avoid a second government shutdown.
The last government shutdown lasted for five weeks and forced 800,000 federal employees to be furloughed or to work without pay.
The Trump administration has made it clear that it will not back down if the deal does not contain funds for the president’s border wall and are willing to close the government once more or declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress.
“He’s willing to do whatever it takes to secure the border,” Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on CBS over the weekend.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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