Politics

White House ‘Optimistic’ Of Spending Deal To Avert Government Shutdown

Saagar Enjeti White House Correspondent
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The White House is optimistic of reaching a spending deal with Democratic and Republican lawmakers to fully fund the government, White House legislative affairs director Marc Short told MSNBC Wednesday.

“I think you’ll have an announcement today that presents a caps deal that enable us to have hopefully Congress work on its appropriations the next two years,” Short said, adding that he was “optimistic we’ll get there” by the Thursday deadline.

The prospective deal will raise budget caps from levels set in 2013 which have drawn significant ire from both sides of the aisle. Both Democrats and Republicans have said the caps are hindering domestic and military spending with consequences for military programs.

“I do think this does enable the president to deliver on his commitment to the American people that he would rebuild the military. The numbers you see in the caps is something that secretary Mattis respectfully asked for,” the legislative director said of a potential deal.

Short also reacted to Trump’s Tuesday declaration that he’d “love to see a shutdown” if lawmakers do not take up his proposals on immigration. “He’s making the case that the border security is essential to our country and made the case on the campaign trail. I’m sincere about this and Congress should not question my desire and commitment here to providing security on our border to the American people.”

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Saagar Enjeti