Kevin Dietsch / Getty Photographs
Talking to reporters on the Capitol, Home Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Chief John Thune stood agency of their determination to stay with a clear persevering with decision, somewhat than negotiate with Democrats over well being care whereas the federal government is shut down. Johnson mentioned the seven-week funding extension that handed the Home would offer respiratory room to barter with Democrats on long-term funding and their well being care priorities.
“In some unspecified time in the future, cause, good sense, frequent sense, has to take impact right here,” Thune mentioned.
Johnson mentioned 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 mentioned 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 persons are having enjoyable with this. However on the finish of the day, the selections are robust ones.”
Johnson mentioned he spoke “at size” with Workplace of Administration and Price range Director Russ Vought on Thursday, and Vought “takes no pleasure” in federal staff shedding jobs.
“The president takes no pleasure on this,” Johnson mentioned of impending federal layoffs and funding cuts. “But when Chuck Schumer’s going to provide 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 might be each taking no pleasure in federal cuts and “having enjoyable” with the shutdown scenario.
“So the consequences are very critical on actual folks, actual Individuals,” Johnson mentioned. “We assist federal staff who do an ideal job in all these totally different areas. However what they’re making an attempt to have enjoyable with, making an attempt to make mild of, is to level out the absurdity of the Democrats’ place. They usually’re utilizing memes and all of the instruments of social media to try this. Some folks discover that entertaining, however on the finish of the day, the selections are arduous ones, and I am telling you they are not taking any pleasure in that.”
