Trump Hopes to Resolve Gov't Shutdown in Meeting With Congressional Leadership

The President of the United States delivered a televised address to the nation on Tuesday night, during which he spoke about what he called a national security crisis at the country's border with Mexico.

The address comes amid a showdown over Trump's request that the government provide funding to build a wall to secure US southern border. The ongoing dispute has resulted in a partial shutdown of the US federal government.

During his address Trump stressed that there is a growing security crisis at the southern US border, adding that all Americans are hurt by illegal immigration. The president said that law enforcement needs $5.7 billion to build border fence.

"Finally, as an overall approach to border security, law enforcement professionals have requested $5.7 billion for a physical barrier," Trump said Tuesday night.

Trump also said that he invited congressional leadership to White House on Wednesday to negotiate a deal over border security.

"This situation could be solved in a 45 minute meeting. I have invited Congressional leadership to the White House tomorrow to get this done. Hopefully, we can rise above partisan politics in order to support national security," Trump said during his address.

https://t.co/Ft6FqQmYfI

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2019

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Meanwhile, during a message broadcasted in response to Trump’s White House address, Senator Chuck Schumer urged Donald Trump to end the government shutdown and put the border security issue aside to be negotiated separately with the Democrats.

"Mr. President, reopen the government and we can work to end our differences over border security but end this shutdown now."

The US government has endured a partial shutdown for nearly three weeks after Democratic lawmakers refused to meet President Donald Trump’s demand for $5.6 billion to build the wall on the US-Mexico border.

READ MORE: Senior US Senator Says Trump ‘Open-Minded’ About Deal to End Government Shutdown

The president told Democrats last week that he was willing to keep the government closed until the border issue is resolved.