Senator deflects on whether Democrats are “taking Republicans to the cleaners” in negotiations for short-term funding resolution.
Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire was pressed by “Squawk Box” co-host Joe Kernen about whether Democrats were overreaching in their demands for a short-term funding bill. The exchange came amid a stalemate in Congress over a continuing resolution to keep the government funded.
Kernen’s questioning followed President Donald Trump’s cancellation of a meeting with Democratic leaders, citing “ridiculous” demands. RELATED: Shutdown Showdown: White House Threatens Permanent Cuts To Federal Workforce
He pointed out that some Republicans were wary of Democrats “loading up” the resolution with additional priorities, suggesting they didn’t want to “get taken, taken to the cleaners with a bunch of other things.”
When asked directly if Democrats were asking for too much, Shaheen deflected.
She began discussing tax credits for small businesses, a topic unrelated to Kernen’s specific question about the funding demands.
When Kernen pointed out her evasion, Shaheen candidly admitted, “I’m not answering your question because I think it’s a bigger problem that you’re not acknowledging.”
The senator’s response highlights the deep partisan divide complicating efforts to pass a funding bill. While the House of Representatives has passed a continuing resolution, a Democratic proposal failed in the Senate, leaving the fate of government funding uncertain.
Democrats have demanded over $1 trillion in funding, including for priorities like restoring money for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which recently saw its funding rescinded.
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