Congress

Tentative Border Bill Doesn’t Include Wall Money

Written by SK Ashby

Will we see another government shutdown this weekend?

The answer hinges on whether or not Trump and his advisers on Fox News consider this funding bill acceptable.

To my own surprise, the congressional conference committee on border security has reached a tentative deal, but what's not surprising is that the deal doesn't necessarily give anyone what they want and is more or less status quo.

According to Reuters quoting congressional aides because the details aren't final, the funding bill will include money for the kind of fencing that already exists on the border, but not for a wall.

A congressional aide, who asked not to be identified, said the outline of the deal included $1.37 billion for erecting new fencing along the southern border. That is about the same amount Congress allocated last year and far below what Trump has demanded.

The aide said none of the money would be for a “wall,” which Trump has been touting since he launched his campaign for president in 2016. Democrats say the wall would be costly and ineffective.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is already spinning this as a win, but Trump's advisers in right wing media may not see it that way.

In comments about the tentative congressional deal reached on Monday, Fox News commentator Sean Hannity told his viewers: “Any Republican that supports this garbage compromise, you will have to explain.”

It probably won't be covered this way, but this "deal" is more or less a glorified continuing resolution that continues funding at current levels.

If this is accepted by the White House and signed into law, that's probably the best possible outcome that avoids another government shutdown.