The following article by Lindsey McPherson was posted on the Roll Call website August 23, 2017:
President threatens a shutdown, criticizes senators and their chamber’s rules
Short on legislative accomplishments so far in his tenure, President Donald Trump went out of his way to complicate Congress’ fall legislative agenda during a campaign-style rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday.
Here are seven ways in just that one speech that Trump said things that don’t bode well for his ability to work with Congress:
1. Shutdown threat
Little more than a month before the Sept. 30 deadline for funding the government into the next fiscal year, Trump threatened to shut down the government if Congress doesn’t agree to fund the border wall he repeatedly promised to build — and have Mexico pay for — during the campaign.
“The obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it, but believe me, if we have to close down our government, we’re building that wall,” he said.
This didn’t seem to intimidate Democrats, several of whom took to Twitter to emphasize that they will continue to fight against the wall. Continue reading “7 Ways Trump’s Arizona Speech Complicates Congress’ Fall Agenda”
