Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called for a "bipartisan compromise" to end the "foolishness" of a government shutdown Saturday, and find "long-term solutions" on immigration and government spending.
"The votes were there; the president was ready," Sen. McConnell told the Senate. "The solution to this manufactured crisis was inches away. The Democrats later took the extraordinary step of filibustering this legislation, preventing it from passing and plunging the country into this totally avoidable mess."
After a Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded passed the GOP-controlled House, the Senate failed to pass it in a failed 50-49 vote, needing 60, in the early hours of Saturday morning. Just five Democrats supported the C.R., while four Republicans opposed.
McConnell pinned the blame on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urging Democrats to oppose the C.R. and force a government shutdown on the anniversary of President Donald Trump's presidency.
"Because the Democratic leader filibustered a bipartisan compromise that a majority of Senators supported and chose a government shutdown, of course thousands of families across America woke up today without the knowledge that their children's healthcare is safe," Sen. McConnell told the Senate floor.
". . .Foolishly done. The American people see right through all this bluster. See right through all this bluster. Like the president, like the House, the American people want long-term solutions on immigration policy, on government spending."
McConnell pointed out a deal to save former President Barack Obama's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) would not have a deadline until over a month, in early March. The government's funding needed to be approved late Friday.
"Like the president, like the bipartisan majority of Senators, the American people cannot begin to understand why the Senate Democratic leader thinks the entire government should be shut down until he gets his way on illlegal immigration," McConnell continued. "The American people cannot comprehend why the senior senator from New York is advising his party to keep the government shuttered for American troops, American veterans, and vulnerable American children until he gets exactly what he wants on the issue of illegal immigration – a situation which does not even become urgent until March.
"All these other matters are urgent. This particular issue does not become urgent until March. I hope Senate Democrats are starting to realize all this. . . . The democratic leader invented this unfortunate hostage situation and led his party into this untenable position. The solution is to end the foolishness. It's hurting millions of Americans who have done absolutely nothing to deserve this."
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