McConnell: Don't Expect Another Government Shutdown

It's likely there won't be another government shutdown anytime soon, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan addressed the media Thursday at a Republican retreat in West Virginia and discussed a government funding effort that needs to occur by Feb. 8.

"I might just add, one tool I think has clearly been eliminated, I don't think we'll see a threatened government shutdown again over this subject," McConnell said. "One of my favorite old Kentucky country sayings is, there's no education in the second kick of a mule. And so I think there will be a new level of seriousness here in trying to resolve these issues the speaker outlined as we go forward."

Congress passed a short-term continuing resolution in January after a brief shutdown that lasted three days. The spending agreement expires Feb. 8, so lawmakers must come up with and pass a plan to keep the government open by then to avert another shutdown.

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