President Donald Trump and Congressional Democrats are at odds over funding that could shut down a large portion of the government just in time for Christmas.
At issue: The wall the president wants built along the U.S. border with Mexico. President Trump wants $5 billion. Democrats are offering $1.6 billion for border security, up from the current $1.3 billion but not anything close to what the president wants.
As usual, the president took to Twitter.
"People do not yet realize how much of the Wall, including really effective renovation, has already been built. If the Democrats do not give us the votes to secure our Country, the Military will build the remaining sections of the Wall. They know how important it is!" he tweeted early Tuesday.
Later in the day he held a meeting with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer at the White House that did not give the president what he wanted. So he vowed to shut down the government if he didn't get his way on the wall.
There is some leeway to shift already-approved funds in the military budget, but not nearly that much without Congressional approval, so-short of foolishly declaring a national emergency-the idea the military will build the wall is essentially an empty threat. Much like the president's empty campaign promise that Mexico will pay for the wall. No, we the people will be paying should the more of the wall be built. And that's looking less and less likely.
And shutting down the government over the wall? He could do it but it would not be wise.
Because this is the president's last chance for appropriations with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate. There are still seven funding bills that must be passed and signed by December 21 to avoid a shutdown of a large part of the government. Operations at the Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security and State departments are most at risk. Even now the spending bills must have Democratic support in the Senate to get the 60 votes needed. And after the first of the year, when Democrats take control of the House, it will be much more difficult for the administration to get anything at all done.
The border wall is popular with President Trump's base. And the president is digging his heels in, determined to make it happen. But it's time he faced facts. The wall is off the table-at least for the next couple of years. And all the Twitter tantrums in the world won't change that.
Better for the country to let the Republicans and Democrats craft the best bipartisan spending package they can and run with it. Otherwise we'll just have another shutdown and a blame game to deal with the Democrats holding a lot more cards after the New Year.