Mediaboss Marketing

President Donald Trump threatened Sunday to push the government into a shutdown ahead of the coming spending deadline in September if Congress does not fund his border wall and change the nations immigration laws.

I would be willing to shut down government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch & Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country! Trump tweeted.

Trumps Twitter threat introduced a fresh wild card for congressional negotiators to deal with as the remaining legislative days tick down before government funding runs out an explosive prospect for both parties withjust 100 days untilthe midterm elections.

Trumphas previously floatedthe possibility of a government shutdown over border security and immigration, and on Sunday he made his threat explicit, saying he would do so unless Congress funds his proposed wall, which he promised Mexico would pay for, and puts in place his preferred immigration policies.

In May, Trumpsuggestedclosing up the country for a while if he did not get his wall.

They dont want the wall, Trump said. But were going to get the wall, even if we have to think about closing up the country for a while.

Sundays shutdown threat from Trump alsoechoed a remarkhe made in February when he said Id love to see a shutdown if the government did not agree to address immigration.

Congress ultimatelypassed a spending bill in Marchthat funded the government through September. Trump threatened at the time to veto the spending agreement, buteventually signed the billwhile expressing his displeasure with Congress.

I said to Congress, I will never sign another bill like this again, Trump said in March.

A shutdown over Trumps wall at the September deadline would mark the third lapse in appropriations this year, followinga shutdownin January as Democrats battled with the Trump administration and congressional Republicans on protections for Dreamers as well as a brief shutdown when Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentuckyblockeda spending vote.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellannounced in Junethat he was canceling much of the Senates August recess, saying the chamber needed the additional time to make progress on Trumps nominees and pass appropriations bills. And with the House out on August recess, theres not much time left before the deadline that both chambers will be in session.

Both Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and McConnell met with Trump last week to discuss funding the government.

Asked about Trumps Twitter threat, a pair of Republican lawmakers said Sunday that they didnt think the government should or would shut down this September.

Lets hope not, Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson said on CBSs Face the Nation.

Johnson added that he didnt think a shutdown would be helpful to Republicans in the November elections, so lets try and avoid it.

Ohio Rep. Steve Stivers, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said on ABCs This Week said he did not think it would come to a shutdown.

I dont think were going to shut down the government, Stivers said. You know, I think were going to make sure we keep the government open, but were going to get better policies on immigration.

Link:
President Trump threatens shutdown over wall, immigration ...