Republicans don't want a government shutdown, but rather to be sure the border is secure, and bipartisan support is needed, especially with the threats being posed by the migrant caravan that has arrived, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise said Friday, while shooting down claims from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that the $1.3 billion Congress allocated last year hasn't been spent yet.
"Chuck Schumer is still burned from the last time he shut the government down," the Louisiana Republican told Fox News' "America's Newsroom." "It didn't work for him then; it won't work for him now. People know and see this threat the border."
The caravan, he added, has more than 600 known convicted criminal, and "another MS-13 gang member" was arrested two days ago.
"What President Trump has talked about he needs $5 billion right now to secure the border," said Scalise. "It is a full border security package including building the wall, including technology, making sure that our Border Patrol agents have the tools they need."
In addition, the first money is being spent, and is "just a small portion" of what is needed.
"President Trump laid out a concrete plan that makes a lot of sense to get this done," said Scalise. "Let's go and see a bipartisan agreement to secure America's border especially at a time when we see the assault coming from known criminals and keep this in mind."
Scalise also talked about the ongoing situation with former FBI Director James Comey, who has filed a motion in hopes of quashing his subpoena to appear before the House Judiciary Committee.
"You don't get to decide whether or not you want to comply with a compelling order to come and testify before Congress," said Scalise.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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