Lawmakers one step closer to keeping government open

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Lawmakers in Washington are one step closer to keeping the government open come February 15.

Negotiations continued Monday evening and reports say they have reached a tentative agreement. That tentative deal has a long way to go before it’s finalized and signed by President Trump, something lawmakers say isn’t a guarantee.

If the president doesn’t sign an agreement by Friday at midnight, the government will be shut down again. 

A top Democratic negotiator said the goal for main participants in the talks was to reach a deal Monday night, then proceed to draft the final agreement Tuesday.

Several sources with knowledge of the deal tell the Associated Press it includes $1.3 billion for about 55 miles of barriers on the border. It’s short of the $5 billion the President has demanded, and would not be for a full wall.

Sen. Patrick Leahy from Vermont says there needs to be compromise. 

“There’s not a single one of us who is going to get every single thing we want. Nobody does and we’re going to get what is best for the united states,” said Leahy. 

At a rally on Monday, President Trump said progress is being made.

“They said progress is being made. Just so you know we are building the wall anyway,” Trump said.

Negotiators are still checking to see if the deal would pass the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

What the President will be willing to accept out of these negotiations has remained a wild card hanging over the negotiations.

White House officials said they were still reviewing the deal, and that nothing is set in stone as far as support from the President.