Despite announcements from leaders in both parties that they have reached a spending deal “in principal” to avoid a government shutdown, U.S. Rep Tom Graves is skeptical.
The Ranger, Georgia, Republican, who is on the conference committee negotiating the package, wrote on Twitter this morning, “I haven’t signed off on the reported ‘deal’ nor have I seen it. Based on the reports, I have concerns. Lots of questions, too.”
Lawmakers on both sides announced Monday night that they believed they reached a spending agreement. Hours earlier, some politicians on the conference committee feared they were “hours away” from veering into a shutdown.
“We reached an agreement in principle between us on all the homeland security and the other six bills,” Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, announced Monday night. “The White House has been consulted all along.”
According to Politico, the deal hinged on immigration-related compromises. The deal Monday night includes $1.375 billion for a physical barrier along 55 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. As part of the Democrats’ concession, the fencing would include the steel slats that President Donald Trump has asked for.