for other security priorities. still, schumer s office rejected it. his spokesman, quote: the vice president came in and made an offer, unfortunately, we re still very far apart. asked today why won t democrats give a little on border wall funding, oregon senator jeff merkley responded this way: because we re absolutely willing to fund border security. the american people want us to spend money in a smart way. $5 billion is a lot of money. that s $650,000 650,000 children attending head start. it s 2 million meals a day for a year for seniors. and to spend it on a forty century strategy fourth century strategy, it s something we re just not going to do. reporter: but there is some question whether any number would satisfy democrats. republicans believe that it s nancy pelosi who s really pulling the strings here. she s running for house speaker when the new congress gavels in in january, and she cannot afford to lose the votes of a new crop of far left democratic