WASHINGTON
Mark Meadows wanted money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall so badly he defied Senate Republicans, his own House Republican leadership and even President Donald Trump. And as the government began a partial shutdown Saturday, he was triumphantly getting his way.
As the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Meadows rallied House Republicans and the president to make a stand on wall funding and risk the shutdown, rather than pushing the issue into early next year when Democrats will control the House. He convinced Trump that the president’s 2020 electoral chances were on the line.
“You can remember the Alamo in San Antonio. It’s not because they won there, it’s because they fought there,” Meadows said. “If we’re willing to fight, I think a lot of people support the president and his willingness to fight. I support him in that.“
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said Saturday that there would be no vote in the Senate until there is an agreement between Trump and Democratic leaders.
In mid-afternoon, he announced the Senate would not return for a regular session until late afternoon on Dec. 27, virtually assuring a lengthy shutdown.
He said “productive discussions are continuing,” and when a solution is reached “acceptable to all parties...we will take it up here on the Senate floor.”
The Senate, though controlled by Republicans, needs 60 votes to limit debate on a spending measure, meaning some Democrats will have to agree to a bill to fund the government. Republicans control 51 of the 100 seats.
This story was originally published December 22, 2018 12:34 PM.
