Politicians in Washington have a few more days to agree on next year鈥檚 budget before risking a government shutdown Friday.
The biggest budget concern has been demand for funding for the border wall. He and GOP officials want $1.6 billion to support stricter border efforts.
Speaking with reporters Tuesday, said he is confident both sides of the aisle will reach a compromise on border security before this week鈥檚 deadline.
鈥淢y hope is we can work something out. I think we鈥檙e very close, based on the conversation I just had with [Majority Leader] and our team at lunch, and that would be to pass all seven appropriation bills that are outstanding. It鈥檚 roughly 25 percent of government spending, but it is a lot of important departments and agencies.鈥�
If a compromise isn鈥檛 reached by Friday, Portman says they can extend the current budget and pick up the debate after New Year鈥檚.