Democratic Rep. Katie Hill (Calif.) on Friday said she expects more physical barriers to be part of a border security compromise.
Hill’s answer to questions from CNN anchor Poppy Harlow did not align with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s (D., Calif.) hard line on absolutely zero funding. Harlow asked why Trump and Republicans should trust Democrats’ promise to negotiate on border security once they reopen the government.
"How can the White House, Republicans believe you 1,000 percent that you are going to give money on the wall when ... Nancy Pelosi herself said no, zero dollars for the wall?" Harlow asked.
Hill avoided answering the question about Democrats’ good faith.
"I think there is a lot of talk about physical barriers of some kind," Hill said. "Even President Trump isn't calling it a wall anymore. It is really so silly that we are even continuing to have this conversation about a wall."
Harlow eventually brought Hill back to the matter of negotiating with Republicans.
"Call it a steel slats, if you will, in areas where there aren't natural barriers. Call it what you want. Will you as a Democrat vote for any funding for that?" Harlow asked.
"I am definitely someone who will vote for a comprehensive border security package that includes immigration reform—" Hill said.
"Congresswoman, I just want a really straight answer here," Harlow interjected "Will you vote for any money for a steel barrier?"
"I will definitely–I don't know if it will be steel–I will vote for some money for physical barriers," Hill said. "It's not going to be across the entire 2,000 mile stretch and it is certainly not going to be a concrete wall. It will be part of the package. I can almost bet on it."
"That is more than a lot in leadership are willing to do now," Harlow said. As the CNN host implied, Pelosi has steered clear of saying any wall funding could be acceptable. She called a wall "immoral" and said she wouldn’t allow more than a dollar to fund it. However, support for that hard line is cracking among many Democrats, to include even some in leadership such as Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D., Md.).