The White House changed its voicemail amid the government shutdown, which started over the weekend, and it made note of who is behind it.
“Unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because Congressional Democrats are holding government funding, including funding for our troops and other national security priorities, hostage to an unrelated immigration debate,“ the message says. ”Due to this obstruction, the government is shut down.”
President Donald Trump on Sunday hinted at a “nuclear” option.
“Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked,” Trump tweeted Sunday. “If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!”
A government spending bill would need 60 votes to pass the Senate, which would mean that at least nine Democrats would have to vote in favor of it.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) on Sunday accused Senate Democrats of misrepresenting negotiations with President Trump in order to keep the government open.
In the shutdown, U.S. government workers were told to stay home or, in some cases, work without pay until new funding is approved in the first federal government shutdown since a 16-day funding lapse in October 2013, Reuters reported.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate would vote Monday on a bill to fund the government through Feb. 8, unless Democrats agree to hold it sooner.
“We’ll be right back at this tomorrow and for as long as it takes” for Democrats to vote for legislation that would reopen the government, McConnell said.
Democrats insisted they have been willing to compromise but Republicans backed out of deals. Republicans said they would refuse to negotiate on the unrelated issue of immigration until Democrats provide the votes to re-open the government.
“The president will not negotiate on immigration reform until Democrats stop playing games and reopen the government,” said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders.