Sen. John McCain told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" he expects Congress will avoid a government shutdown and "get it done" to change the nation's immigration system in response to President Barack Obama's executive amnesty order.
"I expect to us work on it, and I expect to us to get it done," the Arizona Republican said Tuesday. "We shouldn't shut down the government. But, at the same time, there are certain things that we just shouldn't compromise on, either. So, it's very tough decisions going to be made in the next few days."
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McCain suggested a four-point plan on immigration that would include changing the DREAM Act, so officials could deport illegal minors from Central America "the same way we do to children who come from Mexico."
His plan would also ensure illegal immigrants were not "eligible for any government-funded program," as well as defund "certain aspects" of Obama's executive order. In addition, he stressed the need for border security, since people in his state were "tired of having people come across their property at night."
"Get our border secure. It's not secure. And, we can act," he said. "It's going to require some expenditure. But, we have the technology and capability to do it."
As for a new defense secretary to replace Chuck Hagel, who is stepping down, McCain said prospective nominee Pentagon official
Ashton Carter was a "very good man."
However, he cautioned Carter would have little influence over national security matters, because the president was only interested in "yes men."
"All the decisions now are being made within a tight circle in the White House, none of whom have any idea about national security," McCain said. "I just hope that he realizes that if he takes the job, he will not have influence, just as his three predecessors didn't, on national security policy. As long as he understands that, then so be it," McCain said.
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