Transcript for Approaching the government deadline
We begin with the chaos in the capitol. The government heading toward a shutdown. President trump demanding $5 billion in tax payer money for the border wall. The house agreeing last night. Today, the pressure on the senate. Mitch Mcconnell huddling at the white house, then back to the capitol. So far, the votes are not there. Last week, the president said he would gladly take the mannedle of a government shutdown for that wall. Tonight, he’s blaming Democrats the saying it could last a very long time. Without a deal, parts of the government shut down at midnight. Mary Bruce starts us off. Reporter: Tonight president trump is digging in on a last ditch effort to get his border wall. We are totally prepared for a very long shutdown. This is our only chance we’ll ever have. Reporter: He’s demanding $5 billion, summoning Republican leader Mitch Mcconnell to the white house. Mr. Leader, are we heading for a shutdown? Senator Shelby and I, and some others who were invited down to the white house, had some good conversation about the way forward. Reporter: But Democrats are holding firm. You are not getting the wall today, next week, or on January 3rd when Democrats take control of the house. Reporter: Just two days ago, the president seemed ready to fund the government without insisting on money for his wall. But then, a revolt from the white. It look like a lot of people’s worst fears may be realized. It’s becoming clearer and clearer that all we’re getting are words, words, words. Reporter: The president was listening and changed course. Let’s face it, I mean we have two talk radio show hosts who basically influenced the president. And we’re in a shutdown mode. It’s just, I mean, that’s tyranny, isn’t it? Reporter: Tonight, with hundreds of thousands of workers in limbo. A scramble to come up with plan “B.” But the blame game is already on. Trump once proudly declared he would own a shutdown. I am proud to shut down the government for border security, chuck. I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it. Reporter: But now. It’s really up to the Democrats, totally up to the Democrats as to whether or not we have a shutdown. Reporter: The president says if there is a shutdown, Democrats now own it. That’s a complete lie. You know, shutdown 101 is you blame the other party at all time. And he accepted the blame. I think most people recognize that. Mary Bruce joins us from capitol hill. President trump insooised on the campaign trail that he would build a wall. That language seems to be changing. Reporter: The president just tweeting a design of our steel slat barrier, which is totally effective, but at the same time, beautiful. Calling itd a different name or shutting down the government is not likely to bring the president any closer to getting what he’s demanding. All right, Mary, thank you.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
