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S lawmakers formed a new bipartisan "gang" to try to resolve stalemate on border funding that caused the government's longest closure in history.
The group includes 20 Senate legislators – 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats – according to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn is not part of the gang but is part of the GOP leadership team and has been briefed on the discussions to date.
"My guess is that when federal employees start to miss their paychecks, that's a game changer," Cornyn said. "Many more Democrat senators are under pressure. If people start breaking, there may be a chance to break the stalemate. "
Cornyn said that he had also spoken to" a senior Democratic senator some ideas about what we could do, "but he added that a proposal should eventually respond to the president's request Trump on the financing of the Border Wall, which President Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., And minority leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., have so far refused.
"I am happy that They speak, but no real progress yet, apart from talking, "said Cornyn, referring to the gang.
It has been nearly six years since the Gang of Eight organized a bill on the subject. immigration that provided a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants in exchange for stricter security measures at the border and wording to ensure that immigrants do not exceed their visas. eight band law was passed in the Senate by a vote by 68 votes to 32, but it was never taken back to the House headed by the Republicans.
The new "gang", made up of 20% of the members of the Senate, hopes to find an answer on immigration to end the closure of the government. To get there, it will probably require an agreement to fund a wall at the border, a request from President Trump and a compromise that Democrats can support.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, is a member of the gang but refused to confirm the number of its members, except that several legislators were involved and discussions were bipartite.
"We're just trying to get members to talk about one way out," said Tillis. "It's good that we have Democrats and Republicans in the room. The real question is: can we come up with something that advances the funding of border security and is a priority for my fellow Democrats?
The group began to meet on Monday as the government's closure dragged on in a fourth week. The partial closure hindered federal agencies and departments and left 800,000 federal employees without pay starting Friday.
On Tuesday, Democrats in the House will introduce a bill to fund the government's activities until February 1st. They will take Thursday another measure to fund the government until February 28. But Republicans should remain firm in the face of these ideas. because they do not go to the border wall.
When asked if the GOP-led Senate would be tempted to resume the government's tentative reopening proposals adopted by the House, Cornyn said "no".
Cornyn and other Republicans believe that Democrats are to blame for the stalled talks with Trump by refusing to support any money for a border wall.
"Someone has to move," said Tillis. "And we try to help them."
The new gang arrives a few days after a group of Senate Republicans failed to reach an agreement that would legalize the Dreamers project against funding at the border. The deal is blocked because Trump refuses to give up his influence by agreeing to open the government first, with no firm guarantee that the financing of the wall will be on the table in a future agreement on the future. 39; immigration.
Tillis and Cornyn say the only way to get Trump to sign spending bills that end closure is to reach an agreement that gives up border security and a wall to something the Democrats want, like legalizing Dreamers.
"Obviously, there must be something in the border security, part of it in a wall," Tillis said. "To do this, we must move forward on a broader immigration agreement."
Tillis suggested that such an agreement should not be too broad, otherwise it would create support on both sides and # 39; collapse.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Vice President, who chairs the Credit Subcommittee on Border Security, said any solution proposed by the gang must be bipartite.
"It will be interesting to see where that goes," Capito said.
Richard Shelby, chair of the Senate Credits Committee, said lawmakers "should stop blaming each other" and said it's time for Democrats to explain to them what could lead them to say " Yes".
"What are the Democrats doing? Shelby said, "If they just want to be against the idea of a Trump and Trump wall, it's not going anywhere, I do not think." what they really want? There must be one thing, give and take. On any negotiation. "
A small group of Senate Republicans want to reopen the government now, while lawmakers negotiate an agreement on border security.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, RS. C., involved in bipartite discussions, asked Trump he would agree to sign a temporary spending bill while Congress was considering an agreement on immigration and border security. The latter refused, noting that the Democrats were committed to blocking any funding, either now or in the wall. the future.
Senator Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Suggested that the Senate could pass a bipartisan agreement.
"Sen. Graham made a perfectly logical suggestion, "said Alexander. "What I hope is that the president is reconsidering his decision. I still think it's the best idea. "
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