Rep. Chuck Fleischmann issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s proposal to reopen the government:
“If Democrats are serious about reopening the government, if they are truly concerned about the federal workers who are going without pay, and if they really want to ensure that illegal drugs and dangerous criminals do not continue to come across our southern border, then they will listen to the proposal put forth by President Trump and come to the negotiating table.
This plan addresses the immediate crisis at our southern border and offers much-needed relief to the 800,000 federal workers going without pay. The opportunity is there for Democrats to work with President Trump, reopen the government, and be a part of the border security solution.”
Senator David Perdue (R-GA) said, “President Trump again spoke directly to the American people about the national security crisis at our southern border. The President has listened to both sides and is still willing to compromise. All members of Congress should take this proposal seriously. However, some Senate Democrats' rejection of the proposal before even hearing the details underscores how desperately they want to keep making immigration a political issue rather than working toward a real bipartisan solution that could reopen the government.”