Top Senate Democrats say stopping a government shutdown over President Donald Trump's proposed wall on the U.S. border with Mexico is now up to the president to resolve.
Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York said on NBC's "Meet the Press" that Trump needs to understand there are not enough votes in either the House or Senate for the $5 billion he's seeking for the wall.
"We should not let a temper tantrum, threats, push us in the direction of doing something that everybody _ even our Republican colleagues _ know is wrong," Schumer said.
Schumer and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi have said they made two offers to Trump to keep funding for border fencing _ not the concrete wall Trump wants _ at the current level of $1.375 billion.
Sen. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, said on ABC's "This Week" that whether or not the shutdown happens rides on Trump taking one of those offers, and that he's not optimistic.
"It's up to the president to accept this," Durbin said. "I don't think he will, but for the good of the country, I hope he does."
A shutdown could also be averted for now if lawmakers and the president agree to another short-term funding bill _ that could last into January _ or make some kind of deal that allows all sides to claim victory.
Trump said at an Oval Office meeting with Schumer and Pelosi last week that he would be "proud to shut down the government for border security."
Stephen Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, echoed that sentiment Sunday. "If it comes down to it, absolutely" the administration is willing to shut down the government, Miller said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "We're going to do whatever is necessary to build a border wall."
Republican Sen. Susan Collins also said a government shutdown must be prevented.
Collins, of Maine, said she thinks it's still possible to find a compromise before funding for some federal agencies runs out after Friday, including a deal proposed this year to approve $25 billion for border security over a decade.
"There's absolutely no excuse to shut down government on this issue or any other issue," Collins on ABC.
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(Jesse Hamilton contributed to this report.)
