Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell talked to the reporters following the winter recess and issued a warning that “the world is literally at war,” adding that “this is the most serious international situation” since the fall of the Berlin wall.
McConnell Repeated the Statement
Writing on X, the Kentucky Republican said, “America is facing the most serious array of national security challenges since the fall of the Soviet Union – border crisis, rampant terrorism, strategic competition, and land war in Europe.” He added, “The Biden Administration’s playbook has been hesitation and self-deterrence. But the Senate’s must be American leadership and American strength.”
The Severity of the Situation
Speaking to the reporters, McConnell continued, “This is the most serious international situation we have faced since the Berlin Wall came down,” adding, “Obviously, we are working very hard to come up with an agreement and improve our situation at the border.”
The Government Shutdown is Not an Option
The Republican, who became a senator in 1985, said Congress “obviously” has to pass a short-term spending bill, also known as a continuing resolution or CR, to avoid the government shutdown. The problem is that House Speaker Johnson declared in November, “I’m done with short-term CRs.”
McConnell on the State of the World
Apart from issuing a warning, the GOP senator said, “We’ve got wars that we’re all familiar with. In the Middle East and Europe.” He continued, “Iranian proxies attacking us – our soldiers in Iraq and Syria. Russia is stepping up missile attacks in Ukraine while we are gone. China, of course, watching all of this, concerned about next year’s election in Taiwan.” That’s why, “Obviously, we’re going to have to pass a CR.”
GOP Senator on Johnson
Asked if it was a “mistake” by Speaker Johnson to say he was with CRs, Senate Republican Whip John Thune tried to stay diplomatic, “I try not to referee too much or, I guess, engage too much on the House. They got their way of doing things and their own challenges in moving legislation.”
Keeping the Government Open
Whip, who serves as the number two position in Senate Republican leadership, repeated, “We’re going to keep the government open,” adding it’s “highly likely … that we’re going to have to do some sort of CR to continue funding the government for the foreseeable future.”
But Not Everyone Agreed
Andy Biggs, House Republican representing Arizona, wrote on X on January 3, “Border security is national security. Shut the border down, or we’ll shut the government down. I stand with @RepRosendale, @RepMattGaetz, @RepEliCrane, and @RepBobGood.”
More House Republicans Joined Biggs
Tim Burchett, a Tennesse House Republican, told NBC News he will vote for shutdown and explained, “We have no other avenue if the Democrats continue to fund this anarchy to the tune of $451 billion a year to house, feed, educate, and provide medical care for illegal aliens.”
The Deadline is Fast Approaching
White House budget director Shalanda Young reminded us that funding for transportation, agriculture, and other agencies will stop on January 19. Young told reporters during breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, “I’ve been taught to believe what people tell you and what they show you. And there are a growing number of House Republicans with this mindset. So I wouldn’t say pessimistic, but I’m not optimistic.”
“The weight of a shutdown”
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, told NBC that the shutdown solves nothing. He added, “House Republican leadership understands the weight of a shutdown.” It is “counterproductive” and “dangerous” and “threatens our national security at home and abroad,” Murray concluded.
House Republicans are Busy With Impeachments
House Republicans are trying to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and President Biden. The House majority also threatens to impeach Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Attorney General Merrick Garland.
GOP Senator Reminded There’s More to Do
Shelley Moore Capito, GOP Senator, said there’s so much to do and no need for impeachment “to be brought up every three months or every two months.”
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