Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinCongress must finish work on popular conservation bill before time runs out PPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help MORE (D-Md.) said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellFEC flags McConnell campaign over suspected accounting errors Poll: 59 percent think president elected in November should name next Supreme Court justice Mark Kelly: Arizona Senate race winner should be sworn in 'promptly' MORE (R-Ky.) does not want a government shutdown, but needs to stand up 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 to avoid one.

McConnell “is trying to find a way in which we can avoid this," Cardin said on CNN Tuesday. "He does not want a government shutdown. I’m convinced about that. But will he take on President Trump?”

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A partial shutdown will happen Friday if there is no agreement over funding.

“It makes no sense for government to shutdown," Cardin explained "The issue we’re talking about is border security, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have reached an agreement on border security that would give the president another $1.6 billion for border security, but just not a wall.”

“If the president can’t go along with that, we have another way to keep government open. It’s called a continuing resolution, where we keep government open while we negotiate our differences.”

With 4 days to go until a partial government shutdown, @SenatorCardin says @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell “does not want a government shutdown. I’m convinced about that. But will he take on President Trump?” https://t.co/qVrf9HQR78 pic.twitter.com/N3HPECkBuv — New Day (@NewDay) December 18, 2018

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Senate Democrats introduce legislation to probe politicization of pandemic response Schumer interrupted during live briefing by heckler: 'Stop lying to the people' MORE (D-N.Y.) also called on McConnell to take a stand over funding last week.

“Leader McConnell says he doesn’t want a shutdown, but he refuses to engage with the president to tell him what’s transparently obvious to everyone else. There will be no additional money for the wall,” Schumer said.

He added that McConnell has an “obligation” to “help persuade the president” to accept a deal over border funding.

Trump said he would be "proud to shut down the government" over border wall funding during a televised meeting with Schumer and Democratic Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiHoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at Supreme Court McCarthy threatens motion to oust Pelosi if she moves forward with impeachment MORE (D-Calif.) earlier this month.