House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said on “Fox News Sunday” that Democrats are reluctant to negotiate with President Trump on border security because “they’re so afraid of the radical left base that wants open borders.”

As the partial government shutdown entered its ninth day Sunday, Scalise, of Louisiana, said it could end if minority leaders would agree to Trump’s funding bill that passed in the House.

“If the Senate’s got a different way and a better way to approach border security, they ought to put that plan on the table,” he said, noting that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sponsored an immigration reform bill in 2006 that included fencing.