House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Is Optimistic About Avoiding a U.S. Government Shutdown

TIME

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy appeared optimistic walking into the U.S. Capitol Monday morning after a weekend of negotiating to avoid a fast-approaching government shutdown.

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00:00 Remember, we've had this posted since July,

00:02 but we had some members, you remember back even before then,

00:05 that would shut the floor down, we couldn't do anything.

00:07 Apparently they're willing to work now,

00:11 so we could have an opportunity if we pass those five,

00:14 the one we already passed,

00:15 but I'll say the other four,

00:16 that'd be 72% of the discretionary spending already.

00:21 The goal has always been to not allow any more omnibus.

00:25 I'm proud to say we have stopped that

00:27 by putting in the debt ceiling a 1% cut across the board

00:31 if you don't do all 12.

00:32 Remember what an omnibus is,

00:33 that no bill goes through committee.

00:36 All these bills have gone through committee,

00:37 the Senate has now taken their suit committee.

00:39 Unfortunately, the Senate has not passed

00:41 any appropriation bills.

00:43 So let's get this going,

00:45 let's make sure the government stays open

00:47 while we finish doing our job,

00:49 passing all the individual bills and getting this done.

00:51 - Well, you have to keep the government open.

00:53 I mean, if people wanna close the government,

00:55 it only makes them weaker.

00:56 Why would they wanna stop paying the troops

00:58 or stop paying the border agents or the Coast Guard?

01:00 I don't understand how that makes you stronger,

01:03 I don't understand what point you're trying to make.

01:05 We've got a border that's wide open today.

01:08 We say it's getting worse each month under Joe Biden.

01:12 We've got now border agents,

01:13 you saw this morning being bloodied.

01:15 Why would you wanna stop paying those individuals?

01:18 I couldn't understand somebody that would wanna do that.

01:21 - What's the plan on Ukraine funding?

01:22 Obviously you met with President Zelensky last week,

01:24 there are some members in your caucus who oppose that.

01:28 What are your thoughts?

01:29 Is that something you would bring up

01:30 for an individual vote?

01:31 - That's supplemental, that's something taking up difference.

01:33 I truly think we need to deal with the disasters

01:37 that have happened in America.

01:38 I don't understand why the president

01:40 would wanna tie those two together,

01:42 and especially why the president

01:43 would want to ignore the American border.

01:45 I would want to deal with that.

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