xi's moments
Home | Americas

Trump dislikes border security deal but Republicans urge support

Updated: 2019-02-13 09:25

A Trump supporter dressed up as a border wall is seen as others queue to enter El Paso County Coliseum for a rally by US President Donald Trump in El Paso, Texas, US February 11, 2019. [Photo/IC]

Congressional Republicans have shown little appetite for another shutdown after taking heavy criticism over the prior one. "I hope he'll decide to sign it," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy also touted the deal.

"I don't think you're going to see a shutdown," Trump said, but he added: "If you did have it, it's the Democrats' fault."

But the most conservative members of the House are unhappy with the deal, a sign it could face trouble if some liberal Democrats also defect over border fencing funding and concerns about the number of beds in immigrant detention facilities.

"Most conservative members are having real heartburn today," Republican Representative Mark Meadows said on Fox News. "I can tell you it's the Democrats that are walking around here on Capitol Hill with a smile on their face today, not Republicans."

'WE'RE BUILDING THE WALL'

Congressional sources said the agreement includes $1.37 billion for new fencing - about the same as last year - along 55 miles (90 km) of the border but only with currently used designs such as "steel bollard" fencing. It also addresses capacity at immigration detention facilities, specifically the number of beds for people awaiting possible deportation.

Trump previously threatened to declare a "national emergency" if Congress did not provide money specifically for the wall, an action under which he might redirect other funds already provided by Congress to pay for wall construction. Fellow Republicans have told Trump such a step would almost certainly draw opposition, both in Congress and in the courts.

Global Edition
BACK TO THE TOP
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349