With the Senate close to a deal to end the government shutdown and increase the debt limit, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) expressed hope Tuesday that President Barack Obama will “quit making people suffer.”
The former GOP presidential candidate told the gang on “Fox & Friends” that Republicans must stand firm in order “to get as much as they can” out of a deal that likely won’t include a repeal or delay of Obamacare’s medical device tax.
“Well, again, I don’t know what all the details are and what has been offered and what hasn’t behind closed doors. I think that’s a bit of a stretch for us on the outside looking in,” Perry said. “But the president of the United States and the Senate hold the cards here. We understand that and the Republicans are going to have to hold their ground and try to get as much as they can.”
But Perry indicated that reopening the government and averting default should be the chief goal.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to keep this country functioning and so half a loaf is better than no loaf,” he said. “We’ve always seen that in our negotiations and hopefully the president will quit making people suffer and will work towards finding a negotiated settlement, if you will, that is in the best interest of the people of this country.”
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR) predicted that the pending deal in the Senate will likely be approved by the upper chamber on Wednesday.
