The impending government shutdown is not really a shutdown, but instead has to do with the priorities of lawmakers, Rep. Todd Rokita, R-Ind., told Newsmax TV.
During an appearance on Thursday's "America Talks Live," Rokita spoke with host John Cardillo from the House floor about the shutdown threat that grew more dire after President Donald Trump said he would not sign the current spending bill being floated because it fails to address border security.
"Nancy Pelosi is gonna take over," Rokita said. "This is our last chance to protect us as a sovereign nation, to offer border security to the American people — which they overwhelmingly want. So, I am just pleased, at least for a brief reprieve, that we're still in the game here and that through the leadership of guys like Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, other Freedom Caucus Members, and even conservatives who are not in the Freedom Caucus – like myself – we've been able to let this go into extra innings."
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Trump and other conservatives want several billion dollars included in the Homeland Security budget that can be used to build a border wall between the United States and Mexico. The current deal struck between Republicans and Democrats is a short-term spending bill that would put off the wall funding debate for several weeks.
With Democrats preparing to take control of the House next month, Republicans would face an uphill battle securing any money for the wall for at least the next two years.
"Here's the whole point: Are they for the people of this country, the citizens of this country, the taxpayers of this country, the voters of this country, or are they for illegal aliens?," Rokita said. "That is the choice before us. It has nothing to do with a shutdown. It has to do with what your priorities are."
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