Schumer dismisses Trump plan to end shutdown
AP
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US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washington, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019. (Photo: AP)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says President Donald Trump’s proposal for ending the 29-day partial federal shutdown is simply “more hostage taking.”

The New York Democrat says Trump’s plan offers “one-sided and ineffective remedies.”

Trump on Saturday proposed granting temporary protections against deportation for many young immigrants and others fleeing violent or disaster-battered countries. In exchange, Trump wants $5.7 billion to construct 230 miles of his proposed Southwest border wall.

Schumer says once Trump signs bills reopening government, negotiations would then be possible.

Schumer says the protections for immigrants that Trump is offering to temporarily revive are legal shields that Trump took away in the first place. He says offering to renew those protections in exchange for wall money is hostage taking.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he plans Senate action this coming week on President Donald Trump’s plan to end the partial government shutdown. But the plan faces an uphill path in the Senate and virtually no chance of survival in the Democratic-controlled House.

The Kentucky Republican calls Trump’s proposal a “fair compromise” for ending the standoff.

Trump’s plan would protect from deportation hundreds of thousands of young “Dreamer” immigrants in the U.S. illegally, in exchange for $5.7 billion to build 230 miles of border wall.

McConnell says, “Everyone has made their point — now it’s time to make a law.”

Top Democrats already oppose Trump’s plan. It will be difficult for the measure to get 60 votes needed to survive in the Senate, and it seems certain to die in the House.