Democratic leaders are spurning a proposal by the top Senate Republican to avert a partial government shutdown over President Donald Trump's demand for $5 billion for a border wall with Mexico.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell proposed $1.6 billion for border security, as outlined in a bipartisan Senate bill, plus another $1 billion Trump could use on the border, according to a Democratic aide unauthorized to speak publicly about the private meeting.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called McConnell Tuesday and rejected the proposal, saying Democrats would not accept a billion-dollar "slush fund."
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi also snubbed the proposal: "Right now what they've offered we have not accepted."
The White said Tuesday that Trump might accept the Senate bill if other money was also available.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.