House Minority Whip and incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) said Monday that he expects Congress will pass a short-term funding measure to avoid a government shutdown Friday due to a lack of support for funding President Donald Trump’s border wall project.
“I think that we’re going to go ‘till the 21st, which is a two-week—” Hoeyer said on MSNBC.
“Merry Christmas to all of us,” MSNBC’s Kasie Hunt interjected.
“Ho, ho, ho,” Hoyer responded. “The grinch who stole Christmas is the Congress. It’s real a real shame.”
President Donald Trump has demanded $5 billion for his border wall, and has threatened to shut down the government if his demand isn’t met.
The government will shut down on Friday if agencies are not funded. Hoyer said he believed that “essentially, the Senate and the House have reached agreement on almost every issue — except the wall.”
Watch below:
"Ho, ho, ho": Hoyer predicts short-term measure to fund government through Dec. 21. pic.twitter.com/94ivX10Fxx
— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) December 3, 2018
It’s still relevant.
And what exactly will have changed in two weeks, Congressman Hoyer, except the calendar?
tl;dl
Seems a little short. I’d have expected them to try to get an extension until Jan. 15, so they’d have a couple weeks when they get back, to fashion something more long term in the new session.
Anyone know why they would only want to extend funding to Dec. 21? Are they only allowed to fund to end of the year, and not through the beginning of the next?
Another example of why dudes like Hoyer need to step away. It’s Republicans who are about to steal Christmas. Using “Congress” as a polite synonym for Republican extremists is just unacceptably feeble.