House Freedom Caucus members are urging President Trump to veto the short-term spending bill that would keep the government funded through February 8 and punt the border wall fight to the 2019 Democratically controlled Congress.
Late last night, the Senate approved the stopgap bill and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stated funding the government with the legislation would show that Republicans are still in control and will not contribute to a government shut down.
“Republicans will continue to fill our duty to govern,” said McConnell.
However, as Breitbart reports, Freedom Caucus members are not buying into the bill.
Last night, caucus chairman Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) gave an impassioned speech on the House floor, urging the President to veto the bill:
“…we are here with a number of my colleagues tonight to say that we’re ready to fight on behalf of all the freedom loving Americans to make sure that we have secure borders and to make sure that never again do we have to worry about terrorists and drug traffickers coming across our southern borders..
I think that it’s appropriate to remind the American people that there is a bad case of Potomac fever up here in Washington, D.C. They forget what they promised the American people and yet what they must do is not forget it this time. Mr. President we’re going to back you up if you veto this bill, we’ll be there, but more importantly, the American people will be there, they’ll be there to support you.
Let’s build the wall and make sure that we do our job in Congress.”
Punting to Feb. 8 on a CR not only gives Democrats a Christmas present, it offers them a Valentine’s Day gift. Democrats will win, the wall will not be built, and Congress will once again have punted when we should’ve been taking a stand. The time to fight is now. Zero excuse.
— Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) December 19, 2018
Freedom Caucus member Rep Jim Jordan (R-OH) blasted Congress for “fooling” the American people when it comes to border wall funding: “Everyone knows the line ‘fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me,’” he said.
“The new line should be, ‘fool the American people four times, shame on Congress.”
Jordan continued, “Now they’re talking about kicking it to February 8th, you got to be kidding me. February 8th? When Nancy Pelosi is Speaker? Four different times we promised something and then kicked the can down the road.”
“The House Freedom Caucus is sick of the games. The American people are sick of the games,” said Jordan.
President Trump initially demanded $5 billion for the border wall funding, however, earlier this week the White House indicated they can get the funding through “other ways.”
“We have other ways that we can get to that $5 billion,” said White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders.
This morning, President Trump took to Twitter, threatening to veto any of the Democrat’s legislation unless it includes border security. He also praised the great work of U.S. Border Patrol, ICE and the military.
“The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country. What they are just beginning to realize is that I will not sign any of their legislation, including infrastructure, unless it has perfect Border Security. U.S.A. WINS! With so much talk about the Wall, people are losing sight of the great job being done on our Southern Border by Border Patrol, ICE and our great Military. Remember the Caravans? Well, they didn’t get through and none are forming or on their way. Border is tight. Fake News silent!”
The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country. What they are just beginning to realize is that I will not sign any of their legislation, including infrastructure, unless it has perfect Border Security. U.S.A. WINS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
With so much talk about the Wall, people are losing sight of the great job being done on our Southern Border by Border Patrol, ICE and our great Military. Remember the Caravans? Well, they didn’t get through and none are forming or on their way. Border is tight. Fake News silent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
