Liberal Senator and possible 2020 presidential contender Kamala Harris blasted her Democratic colleagues for voting to re-open the federal government Monday afternoon, saying she voted against the bill to end the government shutdown because it did little to protect illegal immigrants.
A CNN congressional correspondent posted the Senator’s full statement on social media, where she slammed liberal legislators for caving to GOP demands on DACA, border security, and other immigration issues central to the Democrat decision to shutdown the federal government.
“The Majority Leader’s comments last night fell far short of the ironclad guarantee I needed to support a stopgap spending bill,” said Harris. “I refuse to put the lives of nearly 700,000 young people in the hands of someone who has repeatedly gone back on his word.”
Full @SenKamalaHarris statement on the government funding bill: pic.twitter.com/fTGJQNAur1
— Phil Mattingly (@Phil_Mattingly) January 22, 2018
Despite the left-leaning Senator’s opposition, the Senate voted to approve the financial resolution; passing by a margin of 80-18 after dozens of Democrats switched their votes under Schumer’s instruction.
The Democratic hold-outs include Sens. Harris, Warren, Gillibrand, Sanders, and Booker -all likely contenders for the Democratic nomination in 2020.
SCHUMER BACKS DOWN: Chuck Schumer CAVES, ENDS Government Shutdown
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on the Senate floor Monday his plans to end the Democratic filibuster over a short-term federal funding bill, effectively reopening the national government following a three-day shutdown.
Sources familiar with the new agreement say Democrats secured a verbal commitment from Majority Leader Mitch McConnell there will be an upcoming up-or-down vote on DACA and other immigration reform issues.
“I don’t think this is the right way to get policy outcomes is to shut the government down. When we tried it, it didn’t work well for us,” said GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham with colleagues Susan Collins and Jeff Flake.
“Here’s what I predict. Once we start talking about immigration and voting on immigration, we’ll find 60 votes to make sure these DACA recipients’ lives are not ruined by March 5,” he added.
President Trump and Republican leadership routinely labeled the short-term government closure the “Schumer Shutdown” over the Minority Leader’s insistence that DACA legislation be included in a federal spending bill.
“The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good!” tweeted the President earlier Monday.
SCHUMER SHUTDOWN: Trump UNLOADS on ‘FAR LEFT’ Democrats
President Trump called-out obstructionist Democrats on social media Monday morning; blasting the liberal legislators for protecting “non-citizens” at the expense of the American people as the federal government shutdown enters day three.
The Commander-in-Chief lashed out at prominent Democrats -particularly Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer- as members of both parties struggle to reach a last-minute agreement that would re-open the government by noon Monday.
“The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good! Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base. They don’t want to do it but are powerless!” the President tweeted.
The Democrats are turning down services and security for citizens in favor of services and security for non-citizens. Not good!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2018
Democrats have shut down our government in the interests of their far left base. They don’t want to do it but are powerless!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 22, 2018
Republicans currently hold a 51-49 majority in the US Senate, meaning at least nine Democrats would have to cross the aisle in order to pass the 60-vote threshold required to pass the short-term budget resolution.