Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said that he does not believe a government shutdown will occur, but he added that little progress has been made toward a plan to address Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients or a budget.
"I don't think the government will shut down. Nobody wants the government to shut down. We don't want to shut down the government, but there are a lot of things that have not been done," Hoyer said Wednesday on CNN's "New Day."
One of the most vital issues is funding, according to Hoyer.
"We need to agree on funding levels for agencies. The Republicans, who control all the organs of government, have not sent a single appropriation bill to the president for signature. Therefore, no agency knows how much money they are going to have to spend, and how they can plan, and how they can make contracts, hire people, achieve objectives," he said.
The congressman was optimistic about the prospects of an immigration deal. "Gen. Kelly, I think, has made some positive efforts toward trying to reach agreement. I think that's good. And we'll continue to work," Hoyer said, referring to John Kelly, the White House chief of staff.
"It's tough. We haven't made much progress, but I think we can," Hoyer added.
He also commented Tuesday on the possibility of a government shutdown. President Donald Trump calling for a shutdown is "irresponsible and reckless," Hoyer said.
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