Sen John Kennedy (R)
The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to end the longest government shutdown in US history. The GOP proposal funds a border wall and provides temporary protections for some immigrants. Republican Senator John Kennedy said for it to pass, it will take seven votes from his colleagues across the aisle.
“I hope there are seven, whose head aren’t as hard as the wall that the President wants and who will recognize this as a middle ground, they’ll embrace it and we’ll get the government back open,” said Kennedy.
The Democrats bill would reopen the government until February 8th, without border funding. Democratic leaders have said let’s open the government and then discuss funding for border security. Kennedy said he believes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s clouded judgment is keeping lawmakers from finding a middle ground.
“Speaker Pelosi’s hatred for the President is interfering with her judgment. And she says she wants middle ground, not one dollar for the wall. Well that’s not middle ground,” said Kennedy.
When asked about giving into Democrats proposal with no border wall funding, Kennedy said he’s not caving.
“I can tell you after visiting with the President on this issue, you send him a plan without a border wall in it, it’s dead as four o’clock, man. He’s not going to support it,” said Kennedy.
Both proposals are not expected to pass and that means federal workers will not receive what should be their second paycheck this month.
