Senate Republicans oppose rule change to try to end shutdown -spokesman
WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Republicans oppose changing the chamber's rules so that legislation to fund the government and end the current shutdown could pass with a simple majority, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday.
Scenes from the night of the looming government shutdown:
The spokesman was responding to a question about President Donald Trump's comment on Twitter that if the shutdown stalemate continued, Republicans should fund the government by changing Senate rules that currently require a super-majority for appropriations bills to pass. Republicans have a slim majority in the Senate.
Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018
"The Republican Conference opposes changing the rules on legislation," the spokesman for McConnell said in an email.
(Reporting by Susan Cornwell; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)