Georgia Republicans approach border deal with caution,

They offer early praise but hold off on endorsing pact.

WASHINGTON — Georgia Republicans on Tuesday sounded cautious notes about an emerging agreement that would set aside new money for barriers on the southern border but provide billions less than what President Donald Trump had been seeking for a wall.

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, the only Georgia member of the bipartisan negotiating committee, indicated he had major reservations about the border security agreement, which was announced late Monday.

“I haven’t signed off on the reported ‘deal’ nor have I seen it. Based on the reports, I have concerns,” Graves tweeted. “Lots of questions too.”

Republican leaders offered early praise of the hardfought deal, which would set aside nearly $1.4 billion to add 55 miles of barriers and stave off a second government shutdown this year. But comments from Trump, who had been seeking $5.7 billion for a wall, created a major speed bump for the compromise on Tuesday

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, the only Georgia member of the bipartisan negotiating committee, indicated he had major reservations about the border security agreement, which was announced late Monday.

afternoon.

“I am extremely unhappy with what the Democrats have given us,” Trump said ahead of a Cabinet meeting. He said he’s “adding things” to the compromise and that he “would hope” there would not be another shutdown showdown over the weekend.

Current funding for nine Cabinet-level departments expires Friday evening.

Earlier in the day, Georgia U.S. Sen. David Perdue indicated he would wait to hear from Trump before announcing his position on the deal. But he offered some initial praise less than 24 hours after he returned from a trip to the southern border with Republican U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.

“It’s a start,” Perdue told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News in a joint interview. “Right now, any type of support from a funding standpoint that will move us past this impasse I think is going to be received positively. The president’s pretty much said that.”

During the shutdown, Perdue had urged his close ally to hold strong for border money and policy changes that would close what he saw as loopholes in immigration law.

Amanda Maddox, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, said the Republican was “inclined to support” the deal but was waiting to see final details before making a decision.

Maddox said Isakson was disappointed by initial reporting that the agreement did not include emergency money for victims of recent natural disasters, a major priority of the Georgia delegation after Hurricane Michael.

Aides for other Georgia lawmakers said their bosses were still undecided as they waited to see legislative text.