WASHINGTON—House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she would not support any funding for a border wall in exchange for a deal to protect “Dreamers” – an idea Republicans have floated as part of an agreement to fund the government through the year.
In a press conference, Pelosi said she would agree to funding for increased border security measures as long as the money isn’t used for the border wall.
“It’s about border security, not about a wall,” Pelosi said. “Most of us consider the wall immoral, ineffective and expensive.”
She also slammed President Donald Trump, saying he had promised he would get Mexico to pay for the wall. But even if that happened, she said a wall would be ineffective.
This puts Pelosi at odds with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has agreed to allow $1.6 billion in funding towards a border wall. Pelosi and Schumer will meet with Trump next week to discuss the matter.
Pelosi also said the House will be briefed by CIA director Gina Haspel on the murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi next week.
Pelosi also said the outcome of the congressional election in North Carolina, which was upended after potential election fraud, is being watched closely by both parties. Republican Mark Harris’s campaign is being investigated after someone working for his campaign allegedly altered the vote count using absentee ballots.
She said North Carolina’s state board will meet by Dec. 21 and has three options. It could certify the results of the election, which would send Harris to Congress in January. It could call for a new election within 75 days with the same candidates, or it could schedule a new election.
“Both Democrats and Republicans are upset about the potential fraud in this election,” she said.