The Texas Democrat and his colleagues had expressed “alarm and opposition” to comments Schumer made about backing more funding for the border.

Schumer argued that he was firmly opposed to Trump’s wall with Mexico and would never give in so easily. But Cuellar refused the request.

“I said, ‘No, I’m not going to withdraw the letter because we don’t want you weakening House negotiations for Democrats,” Cuellar recounted of his conversation with Schumer.

House and Senate Democrats are now openly sniping at each other over Trump’s border wall, a division that could weaken their hand in critical spending talks over the coming days.