Trump Calls For 'Nuclear Option' If Shutdown Stalemate Continues
President Trump on Sunday called on Republicans to consider the "nuclear option" in the wake of the continuing government shutdown.
President Trump on Sunday called on Republican lawmakers to go "nuclear" and pass a spending bill with a simple majority if the shutdown stalemate continues.
"Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border," Trump wrote on Twitter. "The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.'s!"
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney voiced his support for Trump's message when he told CNN that currently, "it takes 60 votes in the Senate. We can't open the government without Senate Democrats' support."
According to Axios, "Trump has encouraged invoking the nuclear option before — over the nomination of Neal Gorsuch to the Supreme Court — but this would be a much bigger step with a greater effect on all votes."
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin pushed back against Trump's suggestion in an interview with ABC News on Sunday.
"That would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to our founding fathers," Durbin said. "We have to acknowledge our respect for the minority, and that is what the Senate tries to do in its composition and procedure."
President Trump on Sunday called on Republican lawmakers to go "nuclear" and pass a spending bill with a simple majority if the shutdown stalemate continues.
"Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border," Trump wrote on Twitter. "The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.'s!"
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney voiced his support for Trump's message when he told CNN that currently, "it takes 60 votes in the Senate. We can't open the government without Senate Democrats' support."
According to Axios, "Trump has encouraged invoking the nuclear option before — over the nomination of Neal Gorsuch to the Supreme Court — but this would be a much bigger step with a greater effect on all votes."
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin pushed back against Trump's suggestion in an interview with ABC News on Sunday.
"That would be the end of the Senate as it was originally devised and created going back to our founding fathers," Durbin said. "We have to acknowledge our respect for the minority, and that is what the Senate tries to do in its composition and procedure."