Rep. Chris Stewart, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said on Friday that Democrats in Congress were being unreasonable for not approving President Donald Trump’s demand for $5 billion in funds for a border wall, which led to a partial government shutdown.
Stewart, speaking on Fox News, painted the money for the wall as a simple vote for border security.
“What we’re proposing isn’t outrageous. All we want is border security,” said Stewart. “If they are not willing to give us that, if they’re willing to shut down the government because of that, I don’t know how you go back home and explain it.”
Stewart casting blame on the Democrats for the shutdown ignores the fact that President Trump said during a meeting with Democratic leaders earlier this month that he would “take the mantle” for a shutdown if he did not get funding for his proposed border wall. “I will be the one to shut it down. I’m not going to blame you for it,” said Trump.
Earlier this week a Politico/Morning Consult poll found a plurality of voters, 41 percent, would blame Republicans for a shutdown, while 31 percent said they would blame Democrats. Republicans currently control all three branches of government.
Stewart also said the Senate’s rule requiring 60 votes to pass appropriations bills is ludicrous.
“There’s a way out of this. Get rid of this absurd rule where it takes 60 votes for appropriations. If it’s a long-term decision that will last forever, I understand the 60-vote rule. But the annual budgeting of a government year-to-year, I don’t think it should be. That would take care of this problem.”
Watch the Fox News clip below:
