SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) – The U.S. Senate is expected to take up President Trump’s proposal to end the government shutdown later this week.
Senator Mitt Romney says he’s not sure if it has the support it needs to pass as it is now, and is calling on both sides to come together on something that will.
It’s the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, now standing at day 32.
“A lot of people that should not be hurting that are in the middle of this crossfire, and it’s really unfortunate, and in many respects for many families, more than just unfortunate, really tragic,” said Romney, (R) Utah.
He says both parties are to blame for getting to this point, but now it’s time to move with the president’s offer on the table.
That proposal includes funding for a border wall, new border agents, new immigration judges, and a three-year DACA extension.
“I do support the president’s proposal in this regard, and think it can get the government open again and we can then go to work in putting in place a more complete reform of our immigration program,” Romney said.
He says some Republicans believe the President went too far, but by and large, will support it.
He says right now the biggest obstacle is the top leader in the House.
“I was surprised Speaker Pelosi came out, even before he was finished with his speech, saying this is dead on arrival. I think a more productive approach would be to say, look I appreciate the effort by the President, I don’t agree with it entirely, I have a counter-proposal. So, let’s have a back and forth. That’s normally the way you expect serious people to treat this kind of setting.”
The senator believes pressure is mounting on Democratic leadership to come to the table, and that’s a crucial step to get it done.
“Each party has to get something. That’s the nature of a negotiation, and that’s the kind of deal-making that we have to have,” he said.
You have your chance to speak to Senator Romney Tuesday night.
He’s hosting a town hall meeting at the Davis County Administration Building in Farmington, Utah.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
WEB EXTRA: Hear more of Romney’s thoughts on the government shutdown via an extended interview.
