House Speaker Paul Ryan defended the government spending bill negotiated to keep the government funded through September Tuesday.
House Speaker Paul Ryan defended the spending bill negotiated to keep the government funded through September but noted he understands President Donald Trump’s frustrations with the process Tuesday.
Trump hoped the must-pass legislation would include provisions to fund the wall along the Mexico border and cut funding to sanctuary cities. Democrats’ assertion they would not vote for a measure containing policy riders led Republicans to drop a number of the issues they had hoped to accomplish with the legislation. The president called for an end to the filibuster, making the argument the GOP would have gotten a better deal if they didn’ t need 60 votes in the upper chamber.
“The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%, ” Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. “Our country needs a good ‘shutdown’ in September to fix mess!”
Ryan said he was sympathetic to president’s concerns but believes there are some major conservative wins in the legislation.
“Look, we have a long ways to go between now and September, but I share the president’s frustration, ” he said at a leadership press conference Tuesday. “I feel good about the wins we got with the administration in this bill.”
Ryan noted the budget bill increases funding for border security, defense and the opioid epidemic while holding the line on non-defense spending.
A vote on the legislation is expected to be held this week.
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