Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Sunday pushed back on President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Senate Republicans should change the chamber’s rules to pass a long-term spending bill with 51 votes if negotiations remain fruitless.
“The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation,” a spokesperson for McConnell told TPM in an email.
Trump on Sunday urged Senate Republicans to “go to 51%” if negotiations regarding the ongoing government shutdown remain in a stalemate.
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. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018
Meanwhile, the White House blamed Senate Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats blamed Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress and the White House, for their failure to strike a deal.
This post has been updated.
McConnell understands this game so much better than Trump does. The Senate’s supermajority rule has generally been a bar to progressive legislation. It has rarely helped the left. McConnell understands that changing Senate voting rules would be shooting off his nose to spite his face. Which is why this is a rare case in which I sincerely hope that Trump gets his wish (though he won’t).
Imagine how many GOP Senators just texted McConnell: “My hiding place! Our ability to blame Dems! The polls! No! No!”
shorter Mitch : uhh, we might lose the House and Senate in November, so STFU
Shorter shorter Mitch
“I can’t believe we backed this fucking lunatic”
Looks good on you Mitch
You probably would have been better off with Hillary
We’re laughing at you Mitch
Trump is a shitty, disorganized, unfocused President and he’s telling the Senate how to run its business? That’s hilarious!!