Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is directly engaged with the White House on a plan to avert — or shorten — a partial government shutdown, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Why it matters: The compromise, if agreed to, would pass five of the six appropriations bills and then fund the Department of Homeland Security with a short-term spending stopgap.
- But with part of the government running out of money on Friday night, the timing remains tight, and a final agreement between Senate Democrats and the White House has not been reached.
- The House would still need to approve the plan.
What they are saying: "There have been very constructive discussions," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) told reporters. "So let's just say I'm hopeful."
- "My hope and expectation is that yes, if the White House and Senate Dems they work this out, that they'll be able to produce the votes that are necessary to get this passed," he said.
Driving the news: In talks that emerged overnight, Schumer is demanding that the DHS funding bill be separated from the minibus appropriations bill passed by the House last week, according to CNN and The New York Times.
- Democrats want to use that time to pressure the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to accept their demands to reform ICE, including a requirement to wear body cameras and a ban on masks.
Zoom in: Thune has been encouraging direct negotiations between Schumer and the White House and appears willing to accept whatever compromise they reach.
- "If there are things that the Democrats want that the administration can agree with them on, then let's do that," Thune said Wednesday.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with Thune's latest comments.
