House Freedom Caucus chairman Mark Meadows, R-N.C., says a government shutdown is likely if funding for the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall is not included in the next government spending bill.
In an interview with Breitbart, Meadows claimed there are enough conservative members of congress willing to block the bill if it does not include funding for the border wall.
"There is nothing more critical that has to be funded than funding the border wall for two reasons," Meadows said. "One is it is a commitment that the president made to the American people and one that he intends on keeping, but the second part of that is for our national security we must secure our borders. And the American people will accept no less."
Meadows also said his conversations with Trump suggest he is willing to have a government shutdown — as long as it ends with approved funding for the wall. "My conversations with the president have led me to believe that there is nothing less than a full and total commitment on his part to only sign into law a funding bill that actually allows for us to start construction of a border wall on our southern border. He's committed to do that. We're committed to supporting him in that position."
Unsurprisingly, Meadows isn't the only conservative representative ready for a government shutdown. Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks, running for Jeff Sessions' Senate seat, said in a campaign ad he would fight any spending bill that does not include funding for the border wall if he is elected to the Senate. Brooks — who is endorsed by Meadows — even promised voters he would read the King James Bible on the Senate floor to ensure the wall is funded.
"We’re going to build that wall, or you’ll know the name of every Republican who surrenders to the Democrats to break my filibuster. I give you my word, and I don’t give my word lightly," Brooks said during the ad.
Meadows referred to Brooks' efforts in his interview, explaining he is "not one that will make idle promises."
He added, "If he says he’s going to filibuster until it gets done, everybody better bring their pillows because they’re going to have be staying there for a long time."
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