WH Budget Chief: We’re Just ‘Asking For Our Priorities’ In Must-Pass Spending Bill

Budget Director-designate Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Budget Committee. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney on Sunday said the White House is just “asking for our priorities” in a spending bill which Congress must pass to prevent a government shutdown on President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office.

“We are asking for our priorities and, importantly, we are offering to give Democrats some of their priorities as well,” Mulvaney said on “Fox News Sunday.”

Mulvaney cited an offer he made to Democratic lawmakers last week for “$1 of CSR payments for $1 of wall payments,” referring to cost-sharing reduction payments, which are Obamacare subsidies to insurers.

“We think we have given them a reasonable set of choices that they want in exchange for what we want,” he said. “The negotiations are not finished yet.”

Mulvaney said a government shutdown if Congress fails to pass a spending bill is “not a desired end.”

“I don’t think anybody is trying to get to a shutdown,” he said. “I don’t think anybody foresees or expects or wants a shutdown at the end of next week.”

Asked whether Trump would sign a spending bill that didn’t include funding for his proposed border wall, however, Mulvaney said: “We don’t know yet.”

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Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for tao tao says:

    Take that money you don’t have to spend on a wall you don’t need, and put it towards research on dementia.

  2. These morons DON’T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE FUCK THEY ARE DOING!

    Oh. Your. God.

    He sends up a list of “priorities” and that’s it? He leaves the hard work up to Paul Ryan (oh your God again) and expects something to get done?

    This is because Trump is terrified of a repeat of the “ACHA” debacle, which is assured with these morons in charge.

  3. Before Trump Mick Mulvaney was known as a back bench Tea Party firebrand. You can’t expect him to know how to pass a bill, can you? If you can, let me tell you he doesn’t. The level of political incompetence in this administration is far and away its most dangerous trait.

  4. Snark off
    I’ve seen it asserted Mickey Mouth is dangerous. I do not think so. IMO His appointment was a shout-out to the Freedom Caucus, and he talks loud and says little or nothing that might have real consequences. Worse than Ryan. But the GOPers love to see him taunt the Democrats/Liberals/whatever. He’s probably rubbing his hands right now about all the money he’ll make from the Kochs or the KStreet crowd .

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