Trump pushes Mexico border wall as budget crisis and his 100-day mark loom

Politics

Trump pushes Mexico border wall as budget crisis and his 100-day mark loom

Despite campaign promises that taxpayers would not pay for a massive wall along the border between the United States and Mexico, President Trump will turn to Congress this week seeking the billions of dollars necessary to initially fund its construction. White House officials appeared determined to get Congress to approve a down payment as part of a bigger budget bill to keep the U.S. government running. If Trump does not get funding for the wall, he risks a government shutdown that could begin as soon as Saturday, which coincides with the president’s 100th day in office.

We are asking for our priorities, and importantly we are offering to give Democrats some of their priorities as well.

White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney

Trump is leveraging funding for his border wall against federal funding needed to keep the Affordable Care Act afloat. Aides stressed on Sunday talk shows that funding for a border wall and a vote on an effort to repeal and replace President Barack Obama’s health care law were immediate priorities. They asserted that both could still be accomplished in the coming week. Trump also plans to outline an ambitious tax cut plan on Wednesday, telling the Associated Press last week that it would include a “massive” tax break for both individuals and corporations.

ObamaCare is in serious trouble. The Dems need big money to keep it going — otherwise it dies far sooner than anyone would have thought.

Tweet from President Trump