Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) ripped President Trump for saying he would “love to see” a government shutdown, asking why Trump is “constantly rooting for a government shutdown?”
“Look, if you don’t wanna work, just take some extra ‘executive time’ — don’t threaten the economy or thousands of federal workers. OK?” he added.
Kaine included screenshots of an Associated Press tweet quoting Trump saying he would “love to see a government shutdown” if Democrats didn’t meet his demands on immigration, as well as Trump’s tweet last year saying the U.S. “needs a good ‘shutdown.’”
{mosads}Kaine was referring to reports that Trump’s daily schedule includes “executive time” for watching television and tweeting up to 11 a.m. Democrats have repeatedly mocked Trump over the reports.
Trump had made the comments in favor of a shutdown during a White House meeting with lawmakers and law enforcement officials on Tuesday.
“We’ll do a shutdown and it’s worth it for our country. I’d love to see a shutdown if we don’t get this stuff taken care of,” Trump said.
Senate leaders from both parties say they’re optimistic they’ll reach a deal to fund the government by the Feb. 8 deadline.
While that deal would not include language to help “Dreamers” facing deportation beginning next month, the Senate is separately expected to start a floor debate aimed at passing legislation on immigration after Feb. 8 if no deal on immigration is reached sooner.