On Tuesday, The Trump Administration announced backing off demands for $8.6 billion in fiscal 2020 border wall spending in negotiations with top congressional leaders and appropriators. This announcement reflects a realization that the Administration risks losing a substantial boost in military spending and other GOP priorities if current Continuing Resolution (CR) funds end up extended for the entire fiscal year.
Congress has appropriated just $1.375 billion for the wall in each of the past two fiscal years. The wall funding issue is the biggest hurdle to compromise on allocations for the 12 spending bills, but there are various other factors to consider as well.
On Tuesday, Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard C. Shelby (R-Alabama) said that staff are working to set up a meeting next Tuesday or Wednesday with House Chairwoman Nita M. Lowey (D-New York) to see if they can "ratchet up" negotiations to get the fiscal 2020 spending bills done before January. A top Administration official reiterated on Tuesday that President Trump does not want to see a partial government shutdown if an agreement is not reached by November 22nd.