Rigged for Hillary wrote:
"Trump's offer should be welcomed, if not the final word. To refuse to even talk until the government reopens does no favors to the sidelined federal workers and contractors." ~ Washington Post
Even the anti-Trump WaPo understands that Nancy Pelosi is an obstructionist radical.
A year ago, Trump was offered by Dems $25 billion for the wall in exchange for DACA TWICE! Let me repeat this part — $25 billion for the wall today, in exchange for a 10- to 14-year path to citizenship for 1.8 million children of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States when they were young. And twice Trump agreed to it before turning it down 24 hours later (thanks Stephen Miller and John Kelly).
The THIRD time he could’ve had a deal, a group of bipartisan Senators came up with another offer which could win the support of 60 Senators. A path to citizenship for DACA recipients, $25 billion for border security, and it prevented DACA recipients from sponsoring their parents for legal status. Trump was on board in theory to let the “King of the Hill” plan play out (4 immigration bills on the floor and let the best man win), but the morning before the vote, Trump threatened to veto this bipartisan bill. As a result, it failed 54-45. The night before, there were 60. The Trump favored bill, which gutted legal immigration to the US and provided $25 billion for the wall in exchange for DACA, only got 39 votes that same day, to be clear. The lowest number of votes of the 4 immigration bills voted on that day.
Months ago the Senate approps Committee passed a bipartisan $1.6 billion for border security—no new barriers could be constructed. That’s what DHS asked for in the appropriations process. And in the 11th hour, Trump said that wasn’t good enough.
This idea that some how Democrats are being unreasonable here is laughable. Every time they think they have a deal he changes his mind on the terms. Staff meets but everyone knows no one but him at the WH is authorized to agree to anything. It is like negotiating with Jell-O. And he has already said he is not willing this time to trade for anything — DACA, TPS, etc. He wants $5 billion, no strings attached. And when your friends ask, why Democrats won’t agree to that after being willing to give him $25 billion a year ago — say these three words: elections have consequences. The makeup of the House and Senate has shifted and so have the votes.