Congressional Delegation Reaction to Trump Proposal to End Shutdown

Over the weekend, President Trump proposed linking funding for the border wall with temporary protections for some undocumented immigrants to help end the partial government shutdown. His proposed protections would be for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders. Both would be extended three years.

Congressional Democrats have balked at the offer.

Below are the responses from most of Oklahoma’s Congressional Delegation.

U.S Senator Jim Inhofe

“President Trump has put forward a reasonable plan that prioritizes border security, including a wall, addresses the growing humanitarian crisis at our border and makes real reforms to our broken immigration system and abused asylum process. I look forward to supporting this legislation that includes bipartisan priorities to reopen the government quickly. Democrats are once again faced with a choice—to continue to play politics and block real solutions or to finally work with us to secure our border,” said Inhofe.

U.S. Senator James Lankford

“After meeting with members from both parties and hearing the major elements needed to end the shutdown, the President put out a reasonable compromise, which extends DACA protections beyond the next presidential election, adds humanitarian relief at the border, provides additional immigration judges to get faster due process, allows minors to apply for asylum in Central America instead of traveling the dangerous road to the US border, and adds barriers along the US border in areas that are the highest priorities. The olive branch policy and funding options in the President’s proposal should give Democrats an opportunity to negotiate in good faith. While there is still work to do to solve these and other immigration issues in the long-term, I look forward to considering the proposal in the Senate. Let’s end the shutdown,” said Lankford.

Congressman Tom Cole

“Today, President Trump outlined a real compromise to end the partial government shutdown, demonstrating his willingness to negotiate in good faith. The plan includes things both sides agree need to be solved,” said Cole. “It would provide legal status for DACA recipients—something that Democrats have long demanded. In addition, it would provide money for physical barriers, technology, infrastructure and personnel that are much needed to secure our southern border. Finally, it would immediately reopen the government, so negotiations on other matters of national importance can proceed.

“Thus far, Democrats have been determined to put political fights ahead of the critical need to strengthen border security. President Trump is clearly trying to negotiate in good faith with Democratic leadership in order to end this painful government shutdown. For the good of the entire country, I hope Democrats finally come to their senses, work with Republicans and the president to enact real solutions and finally reopen the government.”

Congressman Markwayne Mullin

“After a conference call with the President Trump, I believe his offer is a win-win for both sides: national security and DACA,” said Mullin.  “The Democrats’ number one issue for years has been fixing DACA.  Now, they have an opportunity to fix it.  Let’s see what they do with it.  Or, we’ll see if it’s really just all politics to them.”

Congressman Kevin Hern

“The President this afternoon laid out a new proposal to end the shutdown and get the border security that we desperately need. After weeks of petty games and political theater from the Democrats, President Trump has given them a serious offer,” said Hern.

Before the proposal was even announced, Democrats refused to accept it, even though it contains many of the priorities they asked for. The President’s proposal includes an extension for DACA, provides more immigration judges and more support to detect drug trafficking, adds 2,000 Border Agents and provides the ability for amnesty seekers to do so at consulates in the country where they live as opposed to marching thousands of miles across a hostile Mexico – these are all things that Speaker Pelosi asked for.

Tuesday is the deadline to reopen the government before 800,000 federal workers miss another paycheck. President Trump has laid out a reasonable offer. It’s now up to the Democrats to come to the table and take meaningful action to end the shutdown.”

Note: The McCarville Report did not receive or find posted reactions from Congressman Frank Lucas and Congresswoman Kendra Horn. We will update this story once we receive it.

 

 


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