By Trendsetter Tribune 
President Donald Trump invited Senate Democrats to the White House as a government shutdown loomed, but the group declined the meeting.
The standoff centers on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, including money for ICE, after federal agents killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis last weekend. Democrats want to renegotiate DHS funding, while Republicans want the six-bill “minibus” funding package passed intact before January 30.
A White House official said the meeting was meant as a listening session, but Democratic leadership blocked it. With Republicans holding a 53-seat majority, they need at least seven Democratic votes to reach the 60 needed for passage.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged negotiations to keep the funding package together, warning that sending it back to the House would slow the process. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats are united on commonsense reforms, including ending roving ICE patrols, requiring body cameras, and banning federal agents from wearing masks.
Schumer argued the White House has no “specific, good concrete ideas” and said DHS funding should be addressed separately, without holding up the other bills.