The wall idea is a distraction?

Democrats say the wall idea -- one of the president’s key election campaign platforms -- is a distraction from more complicated immigration problems and a tool for Trump to whip up support among his conservative base. Democrats plan to put the ball back in Trump’s court immediately on Thursday by passing a general spending bill that would allow the government to reopen fully, but would not include extra wall construction money.

They are proposing to pass administrative budgets that are not controversial lasting through September 30, while only financing until February 8 the thornier budget of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees border security. The budget extension “would allow time for President Trump to reach agreement with Congress on border security,” the Democrats explained. Similar proposals were passed by the Republican-controlled Senate in recent days, until Trump suddenly withdrew his support. Those texts did not reach the House.

“It would be the height of irresponsibility and political cynicism for Senate Republicans to now reject the same legislation they have already supported,” Democratic leaders said in a statement. “Once the Senate passes this legislation and puts us on a path to reopening government, the president must come to his senses and immediately sign it into law.” The bill will go from the Democratic-controlled House to the Republican-held Senate and from there, it would need Trump’s signature.

If he refused, still insisting on the wall funding, Democrats would then get ammunition to accuse him of being responsible. Lawmakers are expected to meet one last time today, before the new session begins Thursday. Senators are set to weigh from 4:00 pm (2100 GMT) a bill passed that provides $5 billion in funding for the wall. But the text has no chance of passing the Senate, where a budgetary law requires 60 votes. Republicans only hold 51 seats.