WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer moved on Wednesday night to reach an agreement to negotiate new restrictions on federal immigration agents, potentially averting a government shutdown early on Saturday, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing officials familiar with the matter.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House and a spokesperson for Senator Schumer did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.
Under the plan, the Senate would carve out legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security from a six-bill package of spending measures required to fund the military, health programmes and other federal agencies through the rest of the fiscal year, the Times said.
The report comes after Senate Democrats called for new restrictions on immigration agents earlier in the day, setting up a confrontation with the Trump administration.
Large swaths of the US government could shut down this weekend if Republicans and Democrats do not reach a deal on immigration.