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Democrats accuse Trump of throwing 'temper tantrum' over shutdown – live Democrats accuse Trump of throwing 'temper tantrum' over shutdown – live
(35 minutes later)
Donald Trump has signed the criminal justice reform bill that passed Congress in a rare act of bipartisanship, per CBS.
The bill, called the First Step Act, will reduce mandatory minimum sentences for a number of drug-related crimes, allow judges to circumvent federal mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent offenders when they see fit, expand rehabilitative opportunities for federal prisoners. It also bans the shackling of pregnant women.
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell, returning from a meeting with Donald Trump, said GOP senators had a “good conversation” with the President and “we are going to continue to be talking about a way forward,” according to CNN.
McConnell then spoke on the Senate floor, urging lawmakers to approve a government funding bill with $5.7bn for a border wall.
“Let’s not end the year the way we began. With another shut down over the issue of illegal immigration. Remember this back in January?” he said. “Let’s pass it and let’s finish our work for this year. Let’s secure our country.”
Donald Trump, chatting with senators at a bill signing ceremony at the White House, took a shot at Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke over talk he might run for president in 2020.
“I thought you were supposed to win before you run for president,” he said, according to a pool report.
O’Rourke lost in a senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz.
POTUS trash-talking @BetoORourke in re 2020, per pool report pic.twitter.com/jYtg4qgi9V
More senators are blaming a “hissy fit” thrown by conservative radio hosts for the country’s current perch on the brink of a government shutdown.
“I am astonished. We had a deal... and then because Rush Limbaugh had a hissy fit we’re back here today,” said Sen. Joe Donnelly, according to a BuzzFeed reporter.
Outgoing Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly: "I am astonished. We had a deal... and then because Rush Limbaugh had a hissy fit we're back here today."
North Carolina’s top elections official made a plea almost two years ago for criminal charges against operatives now at the center of an absentee ballot fraud scandal, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press.North Carolina’s top elections official made a plea almost two years ago for criminal charges against operatives now at the center of an absentee ballot fraud scandal, according to a letter obtained by the Associated Press.
State Board of Elections Executive Director Kim Strach warned in the January 2017 letter that if those involved in an illegal operation to collect absentee ballots from voters in Bladen County were not prosecuted, the violations were likely to continue.State Board of Elections Executive Director Kim Strach warned in the January 2017 letter that if those involved in an illegal operation to collect absentee ballots from voters in Bladen County were not prosecuted, the violations were likely to continue.
Charges of ballot fraud in the county have now thrown the results of a close Congressional race in the state into a turmoil, with the possibility a new election will be required.Charges of ballot fraud in the county have now thrown the results of a close Congressional race in the state into a turmoil, with the possibility a new election will be required.
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has had cancerous growth removed from her lungs, the court says.Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has had cancerous growth removed from her lungs, the court says.
BREAKING: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a pulmonary lobectomy in NYC today to remove two nodules from her lung, which were determined to be malignant. "Post-surgery, there was no evidence of any remaining disease," the court's public information office reports. pic.twitter.com/t4gGzi9Z2LBREAKING: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg underwent a pulmonary lobectomy in NYC today to remove two nodules from her lung, which were determined to be malignant. "Post-surgery, there was no evidence of any remaining disease," the court's public information office reports. pic.twitter.com/t4gGzi9Z2L
It is the 85-year-old Ginsburg’s third bout with cancer. She has beaten the disease twice before.
Special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation will continue even if the government shuts down, per BuzzFeed. They are funded by a permanent appropriation not affected by the spending bills currently in limbo.Special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation will continue even if the government shuts down, per BuzzFeed. They are funded by a permanent appropriation not affected by the spending bills currently in limbo.
In the event of a government shutdown, special counsel Robert Mueller's office would *not* be affected. They're funded through a "permanent indefinite appropriation," per a spokepersonIn the event of a government shutdown, special counsel Robert Mueller's office would *not* be affected. They're funded through a "permanent indefinite appropriation," per a spokeperson
Sen. Bob Corker says Donald Trump is succumbing to the “tyranny of radio hosts,” per CNN, after criticism from conservative hosts like Rush Limbaugh apparently prompted him to reverse course and refuse to sign a governments funding bill without money for his border wall.Sen. Bob Corker says Donald Trump is succumbing to the “tyranny of radio hosts,” per CNN, after criticism from conservative hosts like Rush Limbaugh apparently prompted him to reverse course and refuse to sign a governments funding bill without money for his border wall.
Sen. Bob Corker warns of “tyranny” on President Trump’s handling of shutdown and the events of the last 24 hours.“Do we succumb to tyranny of radio talk show hosts?” Corker told us on Hill“We have two talk radio hosts who influenced the president - that’s tyranny isn’t it?”Sen. Bob Corker warns of “tyranny” on President Trump’s handling of shutdown and the events of the last 24 hours.“Do we succumb to tyranny of radio talk show hosts?” Corker told us on Hill“We have two talk radio hosts who influenced the president - that’s tyranny isn’t it?”
“We have two talk-radio show hosts who basically influenced the president, and we’re in a shutdown mode. It’s just—that’s tyranny, isn’t it?” Tennesee Republican Corker added, per the Daily Beast. “I mean, this is a juvenile place we find ourselves.”“We have two talk-radio show hosts who basically influenced the president, and we’re in a shutdown mode. It’s just—that’s tyranny, isn’t it?” Tennesee Republican Corker added, per the Daily Beast. “I mean, this is a juvenile place we find ourselves.”
!! Corker: “We have two talk-radio show hosts who basically influenced the president, and we’re in a shutdown mode. It’s just—that’s tyranny, isn’t it?”!! Corker: “We have two talk-radio show hosts who basically influenced the president, and we’re in a shutdown mode. It’s just—that’s tyranny, isn’t it?”
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) made a similar point, saying Fox News host Sean Hannity appears to be calling the shots.Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) made a similar point, saying Fox News host Sean Hannity appears to be calling the shots.
“I think they should call in @seanhannity to negotiate this because he’s obviously the one calling the shots,” Sen. Dick Durbin says of shutdown“I think they should call in @seanhannity to negotiate this because he’s obviously the one calling the shots,” Sen. Dick Durbin says of shutdown
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected Donald Trump’s call to use the “nuclear option” of ending the filibuster to pass funding for a border wall.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected Donald Trump’s call to use the “nuclear option” of ending the filibuster to pass funding for a border wall.
“The Leader has said for years that the votes are not there in the Conference to use the nuclear option. Just this morning, several Senators put out statements confirming their opposition, and confirming that there is not a majority in the conference to go down that road,” said McConnell communications director David Popp, according to the Hill.“The Leader has said for years that the votes are not there in the Conference to use the nuclear option. Just this morning, several Senators put out statements confirming their opposition, and confirming that there is not a majority in the conference to go down that road,” said McConnell communications director David Popp, according to the Hill.
Another statement in support of keeping the Senate filibuster, from Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander.Another statement in support of keeping the Senate filibuster, from Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander.
We have rules to follow. I want to put a stop to this practice of the Senate breaking its rules to change its rules. I will not vote to turn the Senate into a rule-breaking institution and I hope that my colleagues will not. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/RcptSopNhkWe have rules to follow. I want to put a stop to this practice of the Senate breaking its rules to change its rules. I will not vote to turn the Senate into a rule-breaking institution and I hope that my colleagues will not. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/RcptSopNhk
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats says he is “deeply saddened” by the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats says he is “deeply saddened” by the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.
He said in a statement:He said in a statement:
I was deeply saddened to learn the news that General Mattis will resign from his post as Secretary of Defense at the end of February.I was deeply saddened to learn the news that General Mattis will resign from his post as Secretary of Defense at the end of February.
As Director of National Intelligence, I have had the unique privilege to be part of our Nation’s National Security Team, and to work with Jim Mattis on issues of critical importance to our national defense. The experience and sound judgement that Secretary Mattis has brought to our decision-making process is invaluable. His leadership of our military won the admiration of our troops and respect of our allies and adversaries.As Director of National Intelligence, I have had the unique privilege to be part of our Nation’s National Security Team, and to work with Jim Mattis on issues of critical importance to our national defense. The experience and sound judgement that Secretary Mattis has brought to our decision-making process is invaluable. His leadership of our military won the admiration of our troops and respect of our allies and adversaries.
In every aspect, Jim Mattis is a national treasure. He will be sorely missed. Thank you, Jim, for your lifetime of service to our nation.In every aspect, Jim Mattis is a national treasure. He will be sorely missed. Thank you, Jim, for your lifetime of service to our nation.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer says Donald Trump owns the government shutdown, posting video of Trump himself saying so.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer says Donald Trump owns the government shutdown, posting video of Trump himself saying so.
“The Senate UNANIMOUSLY passed a bipartisan solution to avoid a shutdown. Then you threw another temper tantrum and convinced the House to ignore that compromise,” Schumer said.“The Senate UNANIMOUSLY passed a bipartisan solution to avoid a shutdown. Then you threw another temper tantrum and convinced the House to ignore that compromise,” Schumer said.
You own the shutdown—your own words, @realDonaldTrump. The Senate UNANIMOUSLY passed a bipartisan solution to avoid a shutdown. Then you threw another temper tantrum and convinced the House to ignore that compromise. #TrumpShutdown pic.twitter.com/h4R7Qk6E1iYou own the shutdown—your own words, @realDonaldTrump. The Senate UNANIMOUSLY passed a bipartisan solution to avoid a shutdown. Then you threw another temper tantrum and convinced the House to ignore that compromise. #TrumpShutdown pic.twitter.com/h4R7Qk6E1i
PRESIDENT TRUMP, 12/11/2018: "I am proud to shut down the government for border security... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down."PRESIDENT TRUMP, 12/21/2018: "The Democrats now own the shutdown!"PRESIDENT TRUMP, 12/11/2018: "I am proud to shut down the government for border security... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down."PRESIDENT TRUMP, 12/21/2018: "The Democrats now own the shutdown!"
The Grand Canyon will stay open in the event of a government shutdown, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tells CNN:
“Regardless of what happens in Washington, the Grand Canyon will not close on our watch. Arizona knows how to work together. We have a plan in place and we’re ready to go. If you have plans to visit the Grand Canyon over the weekend, keep ‘em. The Grand Canyon will remain open.”
Hillary Clinton says Donald Trump is “empowering ISIS” and “playing into Russia & Iran’s hands” by pulling US troops out of Syria.
“This President is putting our national security at grave risk,” she said on Twitter.
Actions have consequences, and whether we’re in Syria or not, the people who want to harm us are there & at war. Isolationism is weakness. Empowering ISIS is dangerous. Playing into Russia & Iran’s hands is foolish. This President is putting our national security at grave risk.
Another Republican senator, Jeff Flake of Arizona, says he won’t back ending the Senate filibuster to pass border wall funding.
The Senate filibuster is about the only mechanism left in Washington that brings the parties together. Deploying the nuclear option would blow that up. I will not vote to do it. https://t.co/XDL19fuSMP
Donald Trump, who repeatedly said he would be the one to shut down the government over border wall money and would not blame Democrats for it, now...blames Democrats for it.
The Democrats now own the shutdown!
Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria was made hastily, without consulting his national security team or allies, and over strong objections from virtually everyone involved in the fight against the Islamic State, the Associated Press reports:
Trump stunned his Cabinet, lawmakers and much of the world with the move by rejecting the advice of his top aides and agreeing to a withdrawal in a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week, two officials briefed on the matter said.
The Dec. 14 call, described by officials who were not authorized to discuss the decision-making process publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, is a view into a Trump decision with profound consequences, including the resignation of widely respected Defense Secretary Jim Mattis...
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arranged the Dec. 14 call a day after he had unsuccessfully sought clarity from Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu about Erdogan’s threats to launch a military operation against U.S.-backed Kurdish rebels in northeast Syria, where American forces are based.
Pompeo, Mattis and other members of the national security team prepared a list of talking points for Trump to tell Erdogan to back off, the officials said.
But the officials said Trump, who had previously accepted such advice and convinced the Turkish leader not to attack the Kurds and put U.S. troops at risk, ignored the script. Instead, the president sided with Erdogan.
The officials said the conversation set off a frantic, four-day scramble to convince the president either to reverse or delay the decision to give the military and Kurdish forces time to prepare for an orderly withdrawal. Trump, however, was unmoved, they said.
Senator Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican, says he will not support using the so-called “nuclear option” to end the filibuster and pass border wall funding over Democrats’ objections.
HATCH—> “I’ve long said that eliminating the legislative filibuster would be a mistake. It’s what’s prevented our country for decades from sliding toward liberalism. It’s inconvenient sometimes, but requiring compromise is in the interest of both parties in the long term.”
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis did the “right thing” by resigning over his differences with Donald Trump, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said Friday.
“At the end of the day, the American people elected one person to be the commander-in-chief and to make decisions,” Sanders said on Fox News. “The president listens to all of his national security team, of which is a big group. He takes their advice. And at the end of the day, he makes the decision.”
“If Secretary Mattis doesn’t feel like he’s the right person to fill that job, I think it was the right thing and an honorable thing that he did in stepping aside,” she said.
Sanders said Mattis and Trump have a “good relationship” but “disagree on a number of fronts.”
Donald Trump is set to meet with Senate Republicans at the White House at 10:30am over the government funding battle, per C-Span.
.@POTUS will meet with Senate Republicans at 10:30am to discuss govnerment funding.
“If they don’t get this done, then he’s shutting down the government,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told Fox News.
If there is a shutdown, Trump will remain in Washington instead of traveling to his Mar a Lago resort in Florida, Sanders said.
Donald Trump is tweeting prodigiously this morning about the potential shutdown. He’s pushing Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell to “use the Nuclear Option” to get approval for money for his border wall.
That refers to changing the Senate rules to end the filibuster, and allow bills to be approved with 51 votes, instead of 60.
McConnell has said repeatedly he will never do that.
Senator Mitch McConnell should fight for the Wall and Border Security as hard as he fought for anything. He will need Democrat votes, but as shown in the House, good things happen. If enough Dems don’t vote, it will be a Democrat Shutdown! House Republicans were great yesterday!
The Democrats are trying to belittle the concept of a Wall, calling it old fashioned. The fact is there is nothing else’s that will work, and that has been true for thousands of years. It’s like the wheel, there is nothing better. I know tech better than anyone, & technology.....
The Democrats are trying to belittle the concept of a Wall, calling it old fashioned. The fact is there is nothing else’s that will work, and that has been true for thousands of years. It’s like the wheel, there is nothing better. I know tech better than anyone, & technology.....
.....on a Border is only effective in conjunction with a Wall. Properly designed and built Walls work, and the Democrats are lying when they say they don’t. In Israel the Wall is 99.9% successful. Will not be any different on our Southern Border! Hundreds of $Billions saved!
No matter what happens today in the Senate, Republican House Members should be very proud of themselves. They flew back to Washington from all parts of the World in order to vote for Border Security and the Wall. Not one Democrat voted yes, and we won big. I am very proud of you!
The Democrats, whose votes we need in the Senate, will probably vote against Border Security and the Wall even though they know it is DESPERATELY NEEDED. If the Dems vote no, there will be a shutdown that will last for a very long time. People don’t want Open Borders and Crime!
Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!
Even President Ronald Reagan tried for 8 years to build a Border Wall, or Fence, and was unable to do so. Others also have tried. We will get it done, one way or the other!
Mitch, use the Nuclear Option and get it done! Our Country is counting on you!
Thank you @SteveDaines for being willing to go with the so-called nuclear option in order to win on DESPERATELY NEEDED Border Security! Have my total support.
Good morning. The federal government is careening toward a partial shutdown at midnight, with Donald Trump threatening “a shutdown that will last for a very long time” if he doesn’t get money for his border wall.
The Senate is set to meet at noon, but there’s little chance they’ll approve the bill passed by the House last night to fund the government and provide $5.7bn for the wall.
Senators, who had scattered across the country after passing a clean funding extension they thought would be accepted on a bipartisan basis, are scrambling to get back to the Capitol - or in other cases, not bothering. Stay tuned.