Rep. Meeks: Trump is 'playing politics' while shutdown negotiations progress

Democratic Congressman Gregory Meeks told Yahoo Finance on Tuesday that negotiations on the government shutdown are progressing but will not result in fully funding a proposed $5.7 billion wall along the southern border of the U.S.

There may be increased money for border security but "we want to do something that the experts feel really protects our borders," said Meeks, whose district includes the Queens borough of New York City.

Meeks, a member of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, said "that is the kind of dialogue that is going on behind the scenes" during a conversation with Yahoo Finance's Adam Shapiro on "On the Move."

‘Is there anything that the president will agree upon’

He suggested that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is the key to the negotiations while President Donald Trump's proposal to break through the deadlock isn't credible. "The issue is, is there anything that the president will agree upon and move forward that is real? Something that can really be on that table, unlike what he proposed last Saturday," he said. He later added that the president "is just playing politics."

Trump has repeatedly signaled no interest in compromising on his demand for $5.7 billion for a border wall. Earlier on Tuesday he tweeted "No cave!" when discussing the issue.

Without a Wall our Country can never have Border or National Security. With a powerful Wall or Steel Barrier, Crime Rates (and Drugs) will go substantially down all over the U.S. The Dems know this but want to play political games. Must finally be done correctly. No Cave!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2019

Meeks also discussed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, his new colleague on the House Committee on Financial Services. "She may have a different point of view than I do but I am always willing to debate ideas," he said adding that he wants the committee to be "not too far to the left, not to far to the right." Later, the Congressman predicted that Medicare for all, one of Ocasio-Cortez's signature issues, would not be in the Democrat platform in 2020. "I think there will be a compromise there as well," he said.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history was in its 32nd day on Tuesday with Senator McConnell expected to call for a vote on Trump proposal later this week.

Ben Werschkul is the Washington, DC producer for Yahoo Finance.

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