Share

GOP Border Security Negotiator Says Another Shutdown Isn't Happening: 'Nil' or 'Next to Nil'

Share

Tennessee Republican Rep. Chuck Fleischmann told “Fox & Friends” on Friday that the possibility of a second government shutdown was “nil or next to nil.”

Fleishman is a member of the bipartisan committee responsible for hashing out a government funding deal that is agreeable to both sides when it comes to border security.

“In this situation, there is no appetite on either side of the aisle and I think in either chamber for another partial government shutdown,” Fleischmann told host Steve Doocy. “When 24 percent of the government got shut down, it was a problem that should have never happened. If the Republican bill would have gotten passed in December, we would not have had that.”

“Our situation is going to be, we want to keep the border safe, we want to build the wall, and we want to keep the government open,” he added.

Lawmakers have until Feb. 15 to come to an agreement on a funding bill before the three weeks of funding put in place on Jan. 25 runs out.

Trending:
Prince Harry Named in Major Sex Trafficking Lawsuit Against Rapper

When asked if the debate had come down to “beds and the barrier” by Doocy, Fleischmann agreed that the negotiations are now largely over the border wall and detention center accommodations.

“From the inception those who were the two big issues. I was very disappointed by the original Democratic proposal which had a rather drastic reduction in ICE beds and that was going to be a non-starter,” Fleischmann said.

“So yes, we need more ICE beds, we need more money for the new barrier, for the new wall and that’s where the negotiation I think is, I think that’s where it’s going and I think that’s where the deal is going to be made.”

Fleischmann also assured the host that any proposal that made it out of committee would include funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Do you think the committee will avoid a second shutdown?

“Any talk about getting rid or defunding ICE is just political rhetoric, it’s empty,” he said. “The vast majority of Democrats support ICE and the Republicans support ICE. ICE is going to increase and do well.”


https://youtu.be/cOBoMfTgcK4?t=820

Fleischmann gave the same response when asked by Bloomberg about the committee’s progress and the possibility of another shutdown.

Related:
101 House Republicans Join with Democrats to Pass $1.2 Trillion Spending Bill

“I think all of us in the room … are working toward a grand compromise, a deal that is something that is palatable to the committee,” Fleischmann said.

“This is not going to be a deal that everybody gets what they want, but I think that we’re going to see wall funding … I think we’re going to see a deal made … the government kept open, so I’m very pleased.”

Truth and Accuracy

Submit a Correction →



We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.

Tags:
, , , , , , ,
Share
Savannah Pointer is a constitutional originalist whose main goal is to keep the wool from being pulled over your eyes. She believes that the liberal agenda will always depend on Americans being uneducated and easy to manipulate. Her mission is to present the news in a straightforward yet engaging manner.
Savannah Pointer is a constitutional originalist whose professional career has been focused on bringing accuracy and integrity to her readers. She believes that the liberal agenda functions best in a shroud of half truths and misdirection, and depends on the American people being uneducated.

Savannah believes that it is the job of journalists to make sure the facts are the focus of every news story, and that answering the questions readers have, before they have them, is what will educate those whose voting decisions shape the future of this country.

Savannah believes that we must stay as informed as possible because when it comes to Washington "this is our circus, and those are our monkeys."
Birthplace
Houston, Texas
Location
East Texas
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Politics




Conversation