President Trump on Sunday continued to blast Democrats over immigration throughout the showdown and urged Republicans to make use of the “Nuclear Option” to achieve a long-term resolution.
“Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked,” the president wrote on Twitter.
“If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!,” he posted.
Democrats and Republicans have been at loggerheads because the Senate didn’t pass a temporary spending bill – a C.R., or continuing resolution – that might have kept the federal government funded till Feb. 16.
Trump’s reference to the “nuclear option” would require a change in Senate guidelines permitting the bill to move with a simple majority of 51 votes as an alternative of the present 60 vote super-majority margin.
The GOP controls the chamber 51-49, however Democrats are insistent they won’t vote for a spending bill until there are protections for “Dreamers,” younger immigrants who had been brought to the United States illegally by their parents.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shot down Trump’s suggestion on Sunday.
“The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation,” a spokesman for McConnell advised The Hill.
Negotiations have been largely overshadowed by name calling over the weekend.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer mentioned that when he was making an attempt to work out a deal with Trump it felt like “negotiating with Jell-O.”
White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney told the New York Democrat should “up his game a little bit and be a little bit more honest with the president.”
Meanwhile, McConnell has scheduled a vote 1 a.m. Monday for a three-week stopgap measure.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Sunday expressed opposition to utilizing the so-called “nuclear option” to permit the Senate to pass a long-term budget with 51 votes.
“The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation,” a spokesman for McConnell stated.
That worthless McConnell doesn’t have the balls!