‘21st Century’ border plan floated
WASHINGTON — House Democrats are putting forward a new proposal to end the government shutdown, aiming to lure President Donald Trump away from his demand for a border wall by offering billions of new dollars for other border security measures.
The offer is a possible path toward a compromise even though it does not have money for building the wall he wants between the U.S and Mexico.
The Democratic proposal is expected to go beyond the $1.6 billion the White House initially requested from Congress for border security, before Trump demanded $5.7 billion for his long-promised wall. The proposal is still being drafted.
The White House signalled earlier that it was open to counteroffers to Trump’s recent proposals.
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., chairman of the Democratic caucus, told reporters after the party’s morning caucus meeting that Democrats are willing to boost personnel, technology and other enhancements at the border.
“House Democrats, like the American people, support 21st Century border security,” Jeffries said. But Democrats remain opposed to what Jeffries called “a medieval border wall. That is a 5th Century solution to a 21st Century problem.”
Trump has proposed having Congress fund his $5.7 billion demand for a border wall that he had promised on the campaign trail that Mexico would pay for. In exchange, he’s offering for temporary deportation relief for some immigrants, including young immigrants who came to the U.S. illegally with their parents.