Lawmakers end first post-shutdown funding conference without progress, as Trump claims they're 'wast

Source: New York Daily News

A team of congressional bargainers convened Wednesday for the first time since the shutdown ended to hash out funding for the government before it runs out of cash again next month — but President Trump threw a wrench into the negotiations before they even began.

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The session mainly consisted of cordial opening statements from both sides, but the underlining premise appeared the same as before the shutdown: Democrats are not willing to put up any money for a border project they deem overly expensive and ineffective while Republicans are ceding power to Trump and keep advocating for a massive barrier.

“Smart border security is not overly reliant on physical barriers, which the Trump administration has failed to demonstrate are cost effective compared to better technology and more personnel,” Lowey said. “Every dollar spent on ineffective proposals means one less dollar invested in measures that actually keep us safe.”

Alabama Sen. Rich Shelby, who leads the GOP charge as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, echoed Trump as he hammered that “strategic barriers” are necessary for a “common sense” border security solution.

Read more: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-lawmakers-shutdown-funding-trump-wasting-20190130-story.html