Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.), the third-ranking Democrat in the House, on Wednesday said he believes lawmakers are "very close to a deal" to end the partial government shutdown that has lasted nearly three weeks, despite few signs from President Trump Donald John TrumpBarr criticizes DOJ in speech declaring all agency power 'is invested in the attorney general' Military leaders asked about using heat ray on protesters outside White House: report Powell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy MORE that he's willing to give in on his demand for border wall funding.

Clyburn said on CNN's "New Day" that Democrats will introduce a series of bills on Wednesday that would individually fund agencies affected by the ongoing shutdown that are not related to the dispute over border security funds.

ADVERTISEMENT

Democrats and some Republicans are expected to vote to fund the Treasury Department, followed by the Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development.

"I believe that if we continue with this and send these bills to the Senate, I think that in the not too distant future the Senate will act and the president will respond in a positive way," Clyburn said.

"I think we're very close to a deal" to end the partial government shutdown, says Rep. James Clyburn, the No. 3 Democrat in the House pic.twitter.com/ct6SofxZ3t — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 9, 2019

Sen. Bob Menendez Robert (Bob) MenendezKasie Hunt to host lead-in show for MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' Senators ask for removal of tariffs on EU food, wine, spirits: report VOA visa decision could hobble Venezuela coverage MORE (D-N.J.) expressed skepticism about Clyburn's view, telling CNN that he's "not aware that we’re that close at all" to making a deal.

"I'm not aware that we're that close at all" to a deal to end the partial government shutdown, says Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez despite Majority Whip James Clyburn saying so pic.twitter.com/1eUZO2mRW1 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 9, 2019

A few Senate Republicans have said they'd support voting to reopen specific agencies, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate Republicans signal openness to working with Biden Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll The Hill's Campaign Report: Biden asks if public can trust vaccine from Trump ahead of Election Day | Oklahoma health officials raised red flags before Trump rally MORE (R-Ky.) has said he will not bring legislation that does not have Trump's support up for a vote.

The shutdown has dragged on for 19 days and counting as Trump demands more than $5 billion to build his proposed wall along the southern border. Democrats have offered $1.3 billion for border security measures, but no specific money for the wall.

Trump delivered a prime-time address from the Oval Office on Tuesday, portraying the wall as a solution to a humanitarian and national security crisis.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi Nancy PelosiPowell warns failure to reach COVID-19 deal could 'scar and damage' economy Overnight Defense: House to vote on military justice bill spurred by Vanessa Guillén death | Biden courts veterans after Trump's military controversies Intelligence chief says Congress will get some in-person election security briefings MORE (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer Chuck SchumerDemocrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise Pelosi, Schumer 'encouraged' by Trump call for bigger coronavirus relief package Schumer, Sanders call for Senate panel to address election security MORE (D-N.Y.) said in response that the president should reopen the government and negotiate with Democrats who support other border security efforts.

Trump will meet with Senate Republicans on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a sit-down with congressional leaders from both parties.