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The U.S House Democrats have presented a new proposal that they’re willing to offer President Donald Trump on border security, once the government is reopened. Democratic Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi said that Democrats are prepared to meet or exceed the demand of president for $5.7 billion if Trump allows the government to reopen first. The money could be used just for border security measures such as technology, more agents, fortifying ports of entry and new judges, instead of a wall. Thompson added, “At this point, the amount of money will meet or exceed what the president is asking for”.

The new proposal will be presented in the form of a letter to Trump, far exceeds Democrats’ past offers for border security funding and ranged from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion. Democrats are pushing continuing resolutions to fund the government through February 28 in a series of bills lined up for a House vote Wednesday and Thursday. Thompson said if the government reopens, negotiations would then take place, and at least $5.7 billion would be offered by Democrats. The plan would be to reach a deal on border security with Trump before the temporary funding runs out.

A representative of Maryland and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said that the offer would include a substantial sum, but that the letter wasn’t yet finished. A representative and chairman of the caucus Hakeem Jeffries of New York said, “Thompson is yet to brief the entirety of the House Democratic Caucus on that proposal. Our focus right now is on making sure that we pass these bipartisan appropriations bills that will be on the floor later this afternoon”. A representative Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania said, “The only thing I’ve heard about it is questions from reporters so far. What I can tell you about that is ‘Stay tuned'”.