Trump not thrilled with budget deal

UPDATE: President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was unhappy with the tentative budget deal that congressional negotiators proposed, but he still wants to avoid another partial government shutdown if possible. “I can’t say I’m happy. I can’t say I’m thrilled,” he said at the White House. But one way or another, he added, “the wall’s getting built.”

OUR EARLIER REPORT (12:18 p.m.): Congressional negotiators reached an agreement Monday night to prevent another government shutdown, but the deal is more than $4 billion short of the budget President Donald Trump requested for wall along the U.S. southern border. The tentative budget allocates $1.4 billion for the construction of new barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border through the fiscal year, which ends on Sept. 30. The amount would allow for about 55 miles of new fencing, far fewer than the 215 miles the White House demanded in December.

GOP negotiators said they were hopeful the president would support the agreement. The pact includes increases for new technologies like advanced screening at border entry points and additional customs officers, as well as humanitarian aid sought by Democrats. “We believe from our dealings with them and the latitude they’ve given us, they will support it,” said Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., when asked about the White House stance on the deal. House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said the measure would be publicly released as early as Tuesday afternoon.