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Talking to reporters on the Capitol, Home Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Chief John Thune stood agency of their choice to stay with a clear persevering with decision, slightly than negotiate with Democrats over well being care whereas the federal government is shut down. Johnson stated the seven-week funding extension that handed the Home would supply respiratory room to barter with Democrats on long-term funding and their well being care priorities.
“In some unspecified time in the future, motive, good sense, widespread sense, has to take impact right here,” Thune stated.
Johnson stated the president “takes no pleasure” within the authorities shutdown, however acknowledged he is “trolling the Democrats” and “having enjoyable with” them within the meantime.
“Now, are they taking nice pleasure in that? No,” Johnson stated of the federal authorities’s funding freezes and potential cuts. “Is he trolling the Democrats? Sure. I imply, sure. As a result of that is what President Trump does, and individuals are having enjoyable with this. However on the finish of the day, the choices are robust ones.”
Johnson stated he spoke “at size” with Workplace of Administration and Price range Director Russ Vought on Thursday, and Vought “takes no pleasure” in federal staff dropping jobs.
“The president takes no pleasure on this,” Johnson stated of impending federal layoffs and funding cuts. “But when Chuck Schumer’s going to present Donald Trump the chance to find out what the alternatives are, he will train that chance, and that is the place we’re.”
Johnson was requested how the president could possibly be each taking no pleasure in federal cuts and “having enjoyable” with the shutdown scenario.
“So the consequences are very severe on actual folks, actual Individuals,” Johnson stated. “We assist federal workers who do a fantastic job in all these totally different areas. However what they’re attempting to have enjoyable with, attempting to make mild of, is to level out the absurdity of the Democrats’ place. And so they’re utilizing memes and all of the instruments of social media to do this. Some folks discover that entertaining, however on the finish of the day, the choices are laborious ones, and I am telling you they don’t seem to be taking any pleasure in that.”
