No Wall, No Deal: McConnell Blocks THIRD Government Funding Bill

No Wall, No Deal: McConnell Blocks THIRD Government Funding Bill

by Cassandra Fairbanks
January 17, 2019

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has blocked a third bill to reopen most of the government without funding the wall.

Senator Tim Kaine had attempted to get consent to take up a House-passed bill that would reopen all agencies — except for the Department of Homeland Security. Approximately 25% of the government has been shut down since December 22.

(Politico)

The Hill reports, “the Senate GOP leader didn’t explain his objection from the Senate floor but he has warned for weeks that he will not bring up a government funding bill unless it’s the product of an agreement between congressional Democratic leadership and President Trump.”

After McConnell turned down another House-passed bill on Tuesday, he stated that it would be pointless to approve a vote on any spending bill that does not have support from President Trump.

“In a situation like this where the president in my view is in the right place trying to get the right outcome… of course not,” McConnell told a  reporter when asked if he would try to reopen the government with a veto override.

The standoff over the shutdown does not seem to be any closer to reaching a negotiation than it was in January.

On Tuesday, a group of House Democrats declined a meeting at the White House to discuss the matter.

Two days later, President Trump grounded Nancy Pelosi, denying her the use of military aircraft while she was already en route for a trip to Afghanistan — saying that she should be in Washington attempting to work on a deal.

“Obviously, if you would like to make your journey by flying commercial, that would certainly be your prerogative,” Trump wrote.