Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell in talks with Mnuchin on next phase of coronavirus relief Pelosi: 'We shouldn't even be thinking' about reopening schools without federal aid The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Argentum - All eyes on Florida as daily COVID-19 cases hit 15K MORE (R-Ky.) on Tuesday ruled out a scenario where the chamber would try to override a veto from President Trump
Donald John TrumpWayfair refutes QAnon-like conspiracy theory that it's trafficking children Stone rails against US justice system in first TV interview since Trump commuted his sentence Federal appeals court rules Trump admin can't withhold federal grants from California sanctuary cities MORE as a way out of the partial government shutdown.
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell in talks with Mnuchin on next phase of coronavirus relief Pelosi: 'We shouldn't even be thinking' about reopening schools without federal aid The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Argentum - All eyes on Florida as daily COVID-19 cases hit 15K MORE (R-Ky.) on Tuesday ruled out a scenario where the chamber would try to override a veto from President TrumpDonald John TrumpWayfair refutes QAnon-like conspiracy theory that it's trafficking children Stone rails against US justice system in first TV interview since Trump commuted his sentence Federal appeals court rules Trump admin can't withhold federal grants from California sanctuary cities MORE as a way out of the partial government shutdown. "In a situation like this where the president in my view is in the right place — trying to get the right outcome … with regard to border security — of course not," McConnell told reporters when asked if he would be willing to override a veto on legislation to fully reopen the government.
Democrats, who have been trying to build pressure on McConnell to break with Trump in the weeks-long funding fight, blasted the GOP leader on Tuesday afternoon, asserting he and Republicans were more worried about "not offending" Trump than reopening the government.
ADVERTISEMENT
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
Chuck SchumerWells Fargo told employees to delete TikTok from work phones Democrats blast Trump for commuting Roger Stone: 'The most corrupt president in history' A renewed emphasis on research and development funding is needed from the government MORE (D-N.Y.) argued that Republicans "are hiding in the shadows as if they have some kind of aversion to doing their job when it involves even the slightest break with the president."
Chuck SchumerWells Fargo told employees to delete TikTok from work phones Democrats blast Trump for commuting Roger Stone: 'The most corrupt president in history' A renewed emphasis on research and development funding is needed from the government MORE (D-N.Y.) argued that Republicans "are hiding in the shadows as if they have some kind of aversion to doing their job when it involves even the slightest break with the president."GOP senators, including members of Republican leadership, have repeatedly shot down questions from reporters about potentially trying to override a Trump veto — suggesting it was something McConnell would not consider as an escape hatch to the partial shutdown.
"We're not going to do that. Twenty Republicans are not going to join with 47 Democrats and override a veto on this issue," Sen. Roy Blunt
Roy Dean BluntHillicon Valley: Facebook considers political ad ban | Senators raise concerns over civil rights audit | Amazon reverses on telling workers to delete TikTok Advocacy groups pressure Senate to reconvene and boost election funding GOP senators voice confidence over uphill Senate battle MORE (Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, told reporters late last week. "It's like many other discussions here, a waste of time."
Roy Dean BluntHillicon Valley: Facebook considers political ad ban | Senators raise concerns over civil rights audit | Amazon reverses on telling workers to delete TikTok Advocacy groups pressure Senate to reconvene and boost election funding GOP senators voice confidence over uphill Senate battle MORE (Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, told reporters late last week. "It's like many other discussions here, a waste of time." McConnell has said the Senate will not take up government funding legislation unless it's an agreement reached by the White House and congressional Democratic leadership.
"There's no way around it. Having show votes in the Senate doesn't solve the problem," McConnell told reporters on Tuesday.
The GOP leader has twice blocked a House-passed package that would fully reopen the federal government, roughly a quarter of which has been closed since Dec. 22 amid a stalemate over Trump's demand for border wall funding.
One of the bills passed by the House would fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 8, while the other would fund the rest of the impacted departments and agencies through Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Updated: 4 p.m.
