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Trump says he's ready to negotiate with Dems

Posted at 7:00 PM, Dec 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-31 14:28:43-05

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says he's "ready, willing and able" to negotiate an end to the partial government shutdown that has now stretched into its 10th day.

Trump tells Fox News Channel in a year-end interview set to air Monday night that Democratic congressional leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi "can come over right now" and "could've come over anytime" to try to hash out a solution.

He adds that, "A lot of people are looking to get their paycheck, so I'm ready to go whenever they want."

Trump, however, is still insisting that any deal include billions of dollars to fund his long-stalled southern border wall. Democrats say that's a no-go.

The interview will air on "All-American New Year."


WASHINGTON (AP) - House Democrats are unveiling legislation to reopen the government without money for President Donald Trump's border wall.

The House is preparing to vote on the package Thursday when the new Congress convenes. This is according to an aide who was not authorized to discuss the plan publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

It will include one bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through Feb. 8, with $1.3 billion for border security.

The package will also include six other bipartisan bills to fund the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Housing and Urban Development and others closed by the partial shutdown. Some have already passed the Senate. Those bills will provide money through the remainder of the fiscal year, to Sept. 30.

The partial government shutdown is in its second week over Trump's demand for $5 billion for the wall.