Dem Rep. Proposes Trump, Congress Hire Mediators To Resolve Shutdown

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) is proposing that President Trump and the two chambers of Congress each appoint mediators to collaborate to end the partial government shutdown.

Khanna told the news network Cheddar that he "floated" the idea of having Trump, the House and the Senate each hire two independent experts to negotiate proposals.

"Put them in a room, six votes, and have them come up with proposals that are going to be 6-0," he said.

He added that arbitrators and mediators "do this all the time."

"People sue each other, they have disputes and somehow it gets resolved. It's only in the United States government that we're unable to move forward," Khanna said.

The shutdown, which is approaching its fifth week, began on Dec. 22 after Trump refused to a sign a bill to fund the government because it didn't include his request of $5 billion in funding for a wall along the southern border. Democrats have offered $1.3 billion in border security measures.

Trump has pledged to not sign any legislation to reopen the government that doesn't include wall funding, while Democrats have dug in and say they will not to approve any such funding.