In less that seven hours the federal government will shut down unless the Senate reaches an agreement on funding. That agreement needs to pass the Senate, and the House, and then be signed into law by President Trump – all of which seems insurmountable.
But there are now reports now that there is an agreement, at least on process, about to be announced.
At issue: Trump’s demand for $5 billion to fund his border wall.
Senator Bob Corker, a retiring Republican from Tennessee, “says Schumer and McConnell struck an agreement with him and Flake. He then met with Pence and Kushner and Mulvaney to get sign off. Schumer and McConnell will announce on floor within 30 minutes he says,” according to Politico’s Burgess Everett.
CNN’s Manu Raju adds details, calling it a discussion to “chart the course forward.”
“This is will be an agreement between McConnell and Schumer about what next happens on the Senate floor. You’ll see them to enter into a little discussion,” Sen. Corker said, according to The Hill. “It charts the course forward that gives us the best chance of actually coming to a solution.”
Stay tuned.
UPDATE I: 5:24 PM ET –
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.