Senator Mitch McConnell is pressing Democrats to engage in “good faith” negotiations in the coming weeks, as Congress looks to head off a February sequel to the longest-lasting government shutdown in U.S. history.
Two days after protests erupted outside McConnell’s Lexington office, the Senate majority leader applauded President Donald Trump’s announcement that he would agree to reopen government while talks about border security continue.
"I know the pain that this episode has caused to many Kentuckians and to people around the country. They deserve this resolution," the veteran Kentucky lawmaker said.
The GOP leader used a speech on the Senate floor to pressure Democrats to negotiate "in good faith on full-year government funding that would include a significant investment in urgently needed border security measures, including physical barriers."
But a Republcian aide speaking with the New York Times reported McConnell was on the phone with Trump Friday morning discussing what the president would accept – "other than a wall" – in exchange for a Democratic promise to continue debating the president's signature campaign pledge during regular Senate business.
The temporary deal comes on day 35 of the partial government shutdown.