On Sunday, Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russell Vought sent congressional leaders a letter requesting $5 billion for a "steel barrier on the Southwest border," saying the White House believes a "physical barrier — wall — creates an enduring capability that helps field personnel stop, slow down, and/or contain illegal entries."
The Trump administration also asked for $800 million for "urgent humanitarian needs." Negotiations to end the partial government shutdown, now more than two weeks old, went nowhere over the weekend, as President Trump continues to demand money for a border wall; Democrats have called the wall immoral and say other border security measures would actually work.
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