WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional bargainers seem close to clinching a border security agreement that would avert a fresh government shutdown, with leaders of both parties voicing optimism and the top GOP negotiator saying he believes President Donald Trump would back the emerging accord. But ending the border security fight would close one chapter that's bruised him, including his surrender after a 35-day partial federal shutdown that he started by unsuccessfully demanding taxpayer money to build the border wall. "We need border security. A senior administration official said the White House is "cautiously optimistic" about getting a deal they could support. It was unclear what verbiage the evolving pact would use to describe the barriers, with Democrats vowing repeatedly to block funding for a "wall."

Source: Economic Times February 08, 2019 06:22 UTC