White House Pushes Long Odds Strategy for Wall

“The White House has a new, long-shot idea for getting President Trump’s border wall: persuading the Senate to take up the president’s wall request to force a deal with the Democrats, then reopen the government,” Politico reports.

“As the government shutdown enters its fifth week, the White House wants the Senate to take up legislation that would provide $5.7 billion for a barrier along the southern border, among other options that have been discussed with GOP leaders. Vice President Mike Pence and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner met Thursday with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and one option batted around was for congressional committees to take up the border request and potentially amend it in committee, all while the government is shutdown, according to a person familiar with the talks.”

“But even Republicans on the Hill recognize the idea is a nonstarter.”