House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Monday that if the Senate votes to open the government, the House will pass that bill.
“The Democrats will have a chance to open the government, that they shut down, at noon today,” Mr. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, said on Fox News. “If they open the government at noon, the House will pass this bill.”
The House speaker added that the shutdown is especially perplexing because there were ongoing bipartisan discussions concerning plans to protect Dreamers — those brought to the U.S. illegally — prior to the shutdown. Democrats said without these protections, they would not support a spending bill, but Mr. Ryan said Republicans have made it clear they will pass an immigration plan that includes these protections prior to the March 5 deadline, when current protections expire.
“We were in bipartisan, earnest, good faith DACA negotiations before this government shutdown,” Mr. Ryan said, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
“That’s what’s bizarre to me,” he added.
Congress failed to pass a spending measure on Friday leading to the government shutdown. Both parties blame the other for causing the shutdown, but talks are expected to resume Monday to try and come to a resolution.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.