Sen. Cornyn: There's Not Going to Be a Govt. Shutdown

Sen. John Cornyn said Sunday he doesn't think there'll be a government shutdown later this month despite fractious issues like proposed cuts to federal programs, and funding for a border wall.

In comments on "Fox News Sunday," the Texas Republican declared: "There's not going to be a shutdown."

"I'm confident that we'll come up with something that everybody can live with," he said in answer to whether a shutdown would come to ensure funding for a border wall and increased defense spending at the expense of domestic programs.

But Cornyn said the process will be a "test" for both Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and the Trump administration.

"They are going to be the ones ultimately who negotiate this," Cornyn said.

Maryland Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin told host Chris Wallace that he's not so sure of bipartisan support for the border wall funding.

"I've talked to enough Republicans to know, and they've said it publicly, that it's a waste of money and it's counterproductive," Cardin said.

"So I think the Senate will carry out its will and hopefully provide no money — no taxpayer money — to building a wall."

Yet Cardin also said he doesn't want to see a government shutdown.

"I'm willing to make compromises in order to keep government functioning," he said, "but we have to take a look at the tradeoffs."

• Poll: 65 Percent of Voters Do Not Want Government Shutdown
• Government Shutdown Now Looms for Republicans