Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, gave Vice President Mike Pence an “earful” about ending the partial government shutdown during a private meeting on Capitol Hill Thursday, according to a report published later in the day.
Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said his colleagues gave Pence an “earful” over the White House’s shutdown strategy.
“We’re all hearing from our constituents who are working for no pay,” Cornyn told reporters after the closed-door luncheon. “And there’s a parade of horribles of how people who are having to cope with not getting paid, and it’s not good.”
McConnell, who has facilitated some budget negotiations with Democrats during the shutdown, told Pence continuing the shutdown beyond the 32 days will only hurt the administration.
“McConnell talked about how we need to bring this process to a close; we should never have had a shutdown; they don’t work; I’ve said this numerous times; I don’t know how many times I’ve told you there’s no education in the second kick of a mule,” according to one person who was aware of what was said during the meeting who spoke with the Hill..
Among those who lashed out at Pence were Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, John Boozman of Arkansas, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, and Jerry Moran of Kansas.
Pence told lawmakers Trump “is interested in striking a deal,” then added that they should not support the proposal from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., which was voted on Thursday afternoon.
Republican Sens. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado, Mitt Romney of Utah, as well as Murkowski and Isakson later voted for the Democratic bill.
