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Trump urges McConnell to let Senate majority rule, pass wall funding
President Trump on Friday publicly urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to deploy the so-called “nuclear option” to jam through a controversial spending package that includes billions in border-wall funds, as Washington’s warring parties remain on a collision course toward a partial government shutdown at midnight.
“Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done! Our Country is counting on you!” the president tweeted, referring to congressional slang for overhauling the Senate filibuster so legislation can pass with just 51 votes, as opposed to the usual 60.
The president prodded McConnell to shatter Senate precedent after the House approved $5.7 billion for a border wall as part of a measure to fund the government through early February. Trump hailed the 217-185 vote as a big victory – one that GOP leaders scrambled to cobble together when the president abruptly backed off tacit support for an earlier Senate-approved stopgap that did not include the wall money.
With a 60-vote threshold, however, the House-passed package stands little chance of being endorsed on the Senate side.
Trump backed the “nuclear option” after Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and others called for it.
“House just passed a bill that fully funds government and enables @realDonaldTrump to secure our border/build the wall. Senate can do same by eliminating the filibuster. 51 votes, same as we do for judges!” Daines tweeted. Trump, who was meeting with Senate Republicans late Friday morning, afterward said Daines has his "total support" in that effort.
McConnell, however, repeatedly has said he would not go this route on legislation. Such a drastic change would likely struggle to pick up enough support even among Senate Republicans, though the chamber has been steadily eroding filibuster precedent to ease the path for the confirmation of presidential nominees dating back to the Obama administration.
A McConnell aide noted Friday that he "has said for years that the votes are not there in the Conference to use the nuclear option." Other senators seemed to back McConnell on that point.
Moments before Trump's tweet, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders made clear on "Fox & Friends" that the administration supported the nuclear option calls.
“They should [lower the threshold]. This is such an important issue and it’s something that all of America wants to see happen," she said, calling for the Senate to do “whatever is necessary to get the job done."
>>> You better believe that Democrats (had they controlled the Senate) would do the exact same thing that Harry Reid did way back when. Mitch does not recognize this.
With the little time they have left, eliminate the filibuster and pass that spending bill that includes the 5 billion for the Wall. It's the last shot they have.
(at least in an official way through normal channels; Trump has said he'd go to the Military to get the wall up if he had to)
President Trump on Friday publicly urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to deploy the so-called “nuclear option” to jam through a controversial spending package that includes billions in border-wall funds, as Washington’s warring parties remain on a collision course toward a partial government shutdown at midnight.
“Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done! Our Country is counting on you!” the president tweeted, referring to congressional slang for overhauling the Senate filibuster so legislation can pass with just 51 votes, as opposed to the usual 60.
The president prodded McConnell to shatter Senate precedent after the House approved $5.7 billion for a border wall as part of a measure to fund the government through early February. Trump hailed the 217-185 vote as a big victory – one that GOP leaders scrambled to cobble together when the president abruptly backed off tacit support for an earlier Senate-approved stopgap that did not include the wall money.
With a 60-vote threshold, however, the House-passed package stands little chance of being endorsed on the Senate side.
Trump backed the “nuclear option” after Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and others called for it.
“House just passed a bill that fully funds government and enables @realDonaldTrump to secure our border/build the wall. Senate can do same by eliminating the filibuster. 51 votes, same as we do for judges!” Daines tweeted. Trump, who was meeting with Senate Republicans late Friday morning, afterward said Daines has his "total support" in that effort.
McConnell, however, repeatedly has said he would not go this route on legislation. Such a drastic change would likely struggle to pick up enough support even among Senate Republicans, though the chamber has been steadily eroding filibuster precedent to ease the path for the confirmation of presidential nominees dating back to the Obama administration.
A McConnell aide noted Friday that he "has said for years that the votes are not there in the Conference to use the nuclear option." Other senators seemed to back McConnell on that point.
Moments before Trump's tweet, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders made clear on "Fox & Friends" that the administration supported the nuclear option calls.
“They should [lower the threshold]. This is such an important issue and it’s something that all of America wants to see happen," she said, calling for the Senate to do “whatever is necessary to get the job done."
>>> You better believe that Democrats (had they controlled the Senate) would do the exact same thing that Harry Reid did way back when. Mitch does not recognize this.
With the little time they have left, eliminate the filibuster and pass that spending bill that includes the 5 billion for the Wall. It's the last shot they have.
(at least in an official way through normal channels; Trump has said he'd go to the Military to get the wall up if he had to)
