Shutdown talks are stalled over the border wall — again

Congressional negotiators worked over the weekend in hopes of finalizing a spending deal for a Monday vote to avert another partial government shutdown, but Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.) said on Fox News Sunday talks have stalled over border security issues.

"We've got some problems with the Democrats dealing with [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]," Shelby said. "I'm not confident we're going to get there. I'm hoping we will get there."

Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney expressed a similar expectation on NBC's Meet the Press, highlighting President Trump's demand of $5.7 billion for border wall construction as a key sticking point. Democratic negotiators on Friday suggested they might agree to $1.6 to $2 billion for "physical barriers" on the southern border but remained adamant Trump would not get his full request.

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"Let's say the hardcore left wing of the Democrat[ic] Party prevails in this negotiation, and they put a bill on the president's desk with, say, zero money for the wall, or $800 million, an absurdly low number," Mulvaney said. "How does he sign that?"

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), also on Fox News Sunday, struck a slightly more positive note. "We are not to a point where we can announce a deal; negotiations are still going on," he told host Chris Wallace. "There are good people on this committee, so I have confidence that hopefully we will get something done very soon."

The deadline to avoid a fresh round of shutdown is Friday, Feb. 15.