Let's see if McConnell acts on his promise in good faith. Talk is pretty cheap. Collins wants to give him credit for talk, lol:
Centrist lawmakers working with Democrats to try and find a compromise acknowledged that McConnell's language could be stronger, but pushed Democrats to trust him.
"I do think it would be helpful if the language were a little bit stronger because the level of tension is so high," Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins told reporters Monday. Collins is one of the key moderate lawmakers discussing a bipartisan solution.
"But you have to remember that initially the majority leader was not talking about this issue," Collins continued. "The Republican leader has moved to accommodate the concerns that have been raised. And I think that the Democratic leader needs to give him credit for moving on the DACA issue,"
Senate moves to end government shutdown as Democrats drop opposition
Eliza Collins and Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY
Published 10:59 a.m. ET Jan. 22, 2018 | Updated 12:39 p.m. ET Jan. 22, 2018
WASHINGTON — The Senate achieved a breakthrough on Monday that paves the way for an end to the partial federal government shutdown, which began midnight Friday amid an impasse over federal funding.
Senate Democrats joined in approving a Republican leadership plan to provide funding for government agencies through Feb. 8 — with a promise from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to work toward a bipartisan compromise on immigration, border security, and a broader budget outline before that new deadline.
"So long as the government remains open, it would be my intention to take up legislation here in the Senate that would address DACA, border security and related issues as well as disaster relief, defense funding, health care and other important matters," the Kentucky Republican said on the Senate floor. DACA refers to the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which provides legal status and work permits to immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children.
continues at usatoday.com |
