President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE shared an illustration of his proposed barrier for the southern border on Friday as lawmakers scrambled to reach a deal to avert a partial government shutdown.

"A design of our Steel Slat Barrier which is totally effective while at the same time beautiful!" Trump tweeted, including an image showing a series of slats with pointed tops.

A design of our Steel Slat Barrier which is totally effective while at the same time beautiful! pic.twitter.com/sGltXh0cu9 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 21, 2018

Trump began describing his proposed border barrier as having "steel slats" on Tuesday. He also suggested that Democrats were opposed to providing funding for his proposed border wall in the must-pass government funding bill because of the aesthetics of the barrier.

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"The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it," Trump tweeted.

The Democrats, are saying loud and clear that they do not want to build a Concrete Wall - but we are not building a Concrete Wall, we are building artistically designed steel slats, so that you can easily see through it.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018

On Thursday, the president seemed to imply that "steel slats" and "wall" were interchangeable phrases.

"The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country," he tweeted.

The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country. What they are just beginning to realize is that I will not sign any of their legislation, including infrastructure, unless it has perfect Border Security. U.S.A. WINS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018

House Republicans passed a short-term funding bill on Thursday that included over $5 billion for border security after the Senate this week passed a measure funding the government through early February but not including any money for Trump's border wall.

The Senate was considering the House-passed bill on Friday as lawmakers attempt to find a path forward. Failure to reach a deal over funding by midnight on Friday would trigger a shutdown affecting about 25 percent of the federal government.