President Donald Trump on Tuesday morning complained that he had needed Democratic support for the deal to fund the government through September, and he suggested a government shutdown in September to fix the “mess” in Congress, hinting that he does not want to negotiate with Democrats on the next budget.
The President’s call for a shutdown is odd given that Republicans control Congress and the White House.
Trump’s public grousing about the spending deal struck between Democrats and Republicans on the Hill undermined efforts by the White House and GOP leaders to portray the deal as a win for him.
Trump also proposed that the Senate eliminate lawmakers’ ability to filibuster legislation to make it easier for Republicans to pass the next budget – and the Obamacare repeal bill still stuck in the House – without Democratic votes.
The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2017
either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good "shutdown" in September to fix mess!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 2, 2017
The spending deal agreed upon by Republicans and Democrats in Congress does not include funding for Trump’s signature campaign promise, a wall along the southern border. The measure also includes provisions opposed by the White House like Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico and a $2 million increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health.
