7/30/2019

BUDGET/GOP/MITCH MCCONNELL/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Senate Republican leaders and President Donald Trump are working to whip up support for their bipartisan, $2.7 trillion budget deal, hoping to stave off embarrassing defections ahead of a vote that’s splitting the party. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Majority Whip John Thune are trying to win over undecided rank-and-file senators to avoid a replay of last week’s effort in the House, when roughly two-thirds of House Republicans opposed the deal, according to multiple senators and aides. Trump is ‘strategically’ making calls to on-the-fence members, Thune said. McConnell delivered a firm message to his caucus on Tuesday during lunch at the National Republican Senatorial Committee, warning them they cannot leave town until the budget and looming debt ceiling deadline has been addressed, according to three sources familiar with the meeting. McConnell also said the chamber will not recess without passing something.”

Burgess Everett, John Bresnahan and Sarah Ferris, “Fearing defections, Trump and McConnell crank up pressure on budget vote,” Politico, July 30, 2019 4:51 pm