Sarah Huckabee Sanders claimed Tuesday that congressional Democrats rejected an offer from Donald Trump to attend lunch at the White House and continue discussions over a deal to end the partial government shutdown, which has entered its 25th day.

“Today, the president offered both Democrats and Republicans the chance to meet for lunch at the White House. Unfortunately, no Democrats will attend,” Sanders said in a statement. “The president looks forward to having a working lunch with House Republicans to solve the border crisis and reopen the government. It’s time for the Democrats to come to the table and make a deal.”

Nine Republican lawmakers are expected to attend the 12:30 p.m. lunch with Trump to discuss the ongoing situation at the border, which he has called a humanitarian and security crisis.

Now @PressSec says "unfortunately," no rank-and-file Democrats will attend Pres Trump's lunch in search of a border wall deal to end partial Government shutdown. "It's time for the Democrats to come to the table and make a deal," says Sarah Sanders. pic.twitter.com/b5Ci3kQr24

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 15, 2019

Trump and Democrats have been at an impasse over funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, for which Trump wants Congress to appropriate $5.7 billion. But Democrats are opposed to the president’s request and believe that further negotiations over wall funding should take place only when the government has reopened.

Sanders said Trump offered a deal that includes “additional technology at ports of entry, allows minors from Central America to seek asylum in their home country, and physical barriers between ports of entry made of steel instead of concrete.”

“As Senator Schumer and Speaker Pelosi refuse to negotiate, President Donald J. Trump and his team are working hard to find solutions to solve the humanitarian and national security crisis at the border and reopen the government,” she said.

Trump met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer last week for further talks on a deal to end the partial government shutdown, which is affecting roughly 800,000 federal workers.

But Trump called the meeting a “waste of time” and left the room after Democrats reiterated their opposition to funding for the wall.

White House invited lawmakers from both parties for lunch, but Democrats declined. Statement from SH Sanders pic.twitter.com/PduJapQRVa

— Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) January 15, 2019