i think he's baiting mitch mcconnell.ight between mitch mcconnell and donald trump. the president is baiting mitch mcconnell to get the vote done his way. mcconnell is publically splitting from him on the mattis thing, using language -- he put on a statement yesterday. mitch mcconnell didn't have to put out a statement. he chose to put out a statement where he said he's particularly distressed that mattis is resigning due to chasharp differences with the president. >> john, you're right. part of the story of the last two years has been mitch mcconnell and paul ryan's belief that, you know, i'm just not going to take the president on when he causes chaos or this tweet or he's mean to that person and just going to try to push passed that and push the aga agaenda forward. i know to many people it may read as just more washington ease, but that's not the case. you are right. that was a holy cow moment. >> he said holy cow. he cleaned it up. >> he is more awake than i am. that's never been in doubt. >> dave, fasten your seat b

he could call up mitch. he calls up mitch all the time. he could have said don't pass a clean cr.t the wall funding in there. he didn't do that, and he knew that's what they were doing. >> and mitch mcconnell seemed to think clearly they were in fact going forward. while you guys are here, i'd like to get you to weigh in on the other huge story today, which is jim mattis. i know you do a lot of work with veterans, the national security arena. what impact does not just the fact of his stepping down but how he did it and what he said, what does it mean? >> certainly this was not a retirement letter. this was a resignation, and a statement of no confidence by secretary mattis in our commander in chief, president trump. president trump, his vision for u.s. role around the world is not only out of line with secretary mattis's but out of line with mainstream both conservative and progressives who consider national security and foreign policy issues. >> how is this going to be viewed by troops in the field? >> troops don't wake up every day asking who the secretary of defense is, but cer

mitch does what he says he's going to do. the bit of hypocrisy, i will say that is there is when we came, there was a lot of discussion about filibuster reform. he said, this is the cooling off, the teacup and the saucer. you've heard this analogy. ok. the first thing he does is not only doesn't reverse what harry did, he exacerbates it. i think there is a lot of hypocrisy in that move. the one thing i will tell you is, if someone is going to be a leader, i like them to do what they say they are going to do. no one should be surprised by what he says. he usually does what he says he is going to do. >> you won narrowly six years ago. did you feel you had a target on your back? sen. heitkamp: oh, yeah. ironically and foolishly, i thought if i had a list of accomplishments, if i did all these things i said i was going to do, that mattered. it did not matter. >> let's talk about the campaign. could you have done anything differently? sen. heitkamp: we always make mistakes in campaigns. there are things, looking back, i wish had n

mitch mcconnell plans to schedule a vote today to begin debate on the house bill, 50 votes are needed to advance it and even that is a long shot. unless somebody compromises, more than 800,000 government workers will go without paychecks before christmas. we begin with abby phillip live at the white house to make sense of it all. >> reporter: the white house is in turmoil this morning facing duel crisis. and president trump telling cnn the wheels are coming off. the trump administration in crisis mode on several fronts. secretary of defense, james mattis, dropping a bombshell on washington resigning from his cabinet position. congress facing the real possibility of a government shutdown over the president's border wall, plus rising interest rates sending the markets into free fall, tdow dropping more than 400 points, and secretary mattis saying my views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades of emerging over issues. >> we have won against isis. we have beaten them and w

and mitch mcconnell said no. he insisted they would not move forward, and republican senators today have reiterated, backed up mcconnell. so there is a dispute on that point. a dispute on the strategy. a dispute on the policy. but we'll see if there is any resolution here just in a matter of moments after days and days of gridlock over keeping the government open, wolf. >> right now 51 republicans, 49 democrats, three independent. but one of those republican senators won't be able to vote, because of a medical condition. stand by, manu. i want to bring in republican congressman, will hurd, of texas. a member of both the intelligence and homeland security committees. thanks so much for joining us. if i interrupt you, you'll totally understand if we have to go listen to mitch mcconnell make this announcement. we're standing by for that. but big picture right now. the defense secretary, as you know, james mattis, he's resigned in protest of the president's policies. all of a sudden this is the worst week for the mar

it does go at mitch mcconnell this hard on twitter. this laser focussed. >> reporter: we saw during the he health care fight. it's not a totally new level of frustration. mitch mcconnell doesn't want to do this and his colleagues don't want to do it. you have orrin hatch who is as good as of an ally of the president saying this is a bad idea. republicans are taking a long enough view to say some day democrat will be in control of washington, d.c. and do they want medicare for all to pass with 51 votes. folks who have been here a long time know it swings both ways. i expect you'll hear from republican senators that they do not have the votes to pass the $5 billion wall package and that push back on the idea they will not change the rules to do so. what comes after that is still anybody's guess. there's never been a big picture strategy by republicans as to how to keep the government open. we heard a bit last night from republican house leader after their passed their bill saying we have done something here now. the idea that's an openin

let's talk about mitch mcconnell.nuclear option. that's not happening. so the question now is what are the negotiations being made now as lawmakers meet before this looming midnight deadline? >> this is an interesting one, julie. i think that chris wallace interviewed a few minutes ago had it exactly right. it's a question of the endgame. how do you play it out? how does the president get out of this box? he has got to offer something not just to democrats but a negotiation with fellow republicans because he has really surprised them. i think in some ways undercut them. they had voted to get out of town and here is the deal. we'll put this off to february. we don't see any way to get it done in the short term. so what could it possibly be the president is saying? not only to mitch mcconnell but to all of the leaders and the people in the republican caucus in the senate. the pressure has come from the freedom caucus in the house. people like mark meadows and jim jordan. you don't see that kind of pressure in the u.s. s

that from this morning as sara sanders was reporting, the president said mitch used the nuclear option and get it done. our country is counting on you, and one tweet out, there's a 10:30 meeting as the shut down looms, two people familiar with the invite, that nuclear option the president is talking about would change the senate's rules to make it easier to pass the latest house and approved spending bill provides in excess of $5 billion in funds for the wall at the u.s.-mexico border. yesterday at the farm bill signing, president trump spoke about border security. >> ladies and gentlemen, the president of the united states, donald j. trump, vice-president mike pence, and the secretary of the department of agriculture, sonny perdue. [applaus [applause] >> thank you very much. thank you. thank you very much. please. that was from the emmys. i sang green acres and received a very nice award that night. that was really great. so we had that, somebody had that, i said put it on. not too much of it, but put it on. congratulations well, it's great to be here, we have a lot of big things happ

mitch does what he says he's going to do. saybit of for policy i will that is there is when we came, there was a lot of discussion about full of us to reform. -- filibuster reform. said, this is the cooling off, the teacup and the saucer. is notst thing he does only doesn't reverse what harry did, he exacerbates it. there is a lot of help are .roceed in that move the one thing i will tell you is , if someone is going to be a leader, i like them to do what they say they are going to do. no one should be surprised by what he says. he usually does what he says he will do. >> you won nearly six years ago. did you feel you had a target on your back? oh, yeah.amp: ironically and foolishly, i thought if i had a list of accomplishments, if i did all these things i said i was going that mattered. it did not matter. let's talk about the campaign. could you have done anything differently? make mistakes in campaigns. there are things i wish had not happened. after the of the day, kavanaugh vote, it got to be too big of a lisft. decision?

earlier today i met with top senate upper graders and mitch mcconnell. leader mitch mcconnell proposed the bipartisan senate dhs bill which has $1.6 billion for border security, plus a $1 billion slush fund for the president to use for his radical immigration agenda. after the meeting, i spoke with a leader pelosi and i called leader mitch mcconnell and told him we would not accept the $1 billion slush fund, and that our offer is to fund the government. let me be clear, the republican offer today would not pass either chamber. we democrats have made two reasonable offers that could earn overwhelming bipartisan support in the house and senate. the six bipartisan appropriations bills and a one-year cr for the homeland security bill, or alternatively a one-year cr for the remaining seven appropriations bills. the president said last week, he would be proud to shut down the government. we democrats do not want to shut down the government. and as for the idea of what sarah sanders huckabee says, that they could get wall money from nafta or some other part of

i think he liked his gopher at mitch tweet that helped push mitch mcconnell over the line. this one is not going to happen. mitch mcconnell made clear it's not an option. again he has spoken. >> republican members of the senate you see leaving the white house. the incoming chief of staff. the budget director. mitch mcconnell is way back. other senior republicans as well. the train is running late at the moment. if you are having negotiations and making progress, it's a good thing. by all accounts, leader mcconnell would listen to the president. i do not have the votes for your wall. it's not just because of the democrats, i am going to lose enough republicans that you don't have your wall. let's gain this out. a normal responsible government if the president wanted this vote and he has every right to get everybody on the record, could have had it monday and tuesday. then you negotiate. the deadline is less dhan 12 hours away. it fails. the president is tweeting this will be a long shut down. is that a bluff? is there a plan b? is there a way out or any chance the democrats

liz: mitch mcconnell made the same point, too. we started out the year with an immigration shutdown, and we are ending the year with an immigration shutdown. the president just signed a reform bill, moody's credit rating agency saying this will have limited impact on the economy. because it's about a third of the government will be shut down. social security checked and unemployment checks go out. so, you know, that's how you frame it. this is just -- i don't want to say histrionics. but there is a lot of grandstanding going on. you guys made the point on brexit that the labour party spent a lot of time talking in front of the cameras and not doing nuts and bolts legislation. and that's happening here. >> i'm hoping republicans hold firm. it will be a big victory for one or the other. president trump says he wants $5 billion. you go through this for that amount. but if he got $3.5, $4 billion. that's a pretty big concession. i think he's that kind of deal maker saying i will take this then come back. liz: i don't want to get into

mitch wrote this. quote, i believe it's essential that the united states maintain and strengthen the post world war ii ally yapians that have b carefully built by leaders in both parties. we must also maintain a clear-eyed understanding of our friends and foes and russia are among the latter. so i was sorry to learn that secretary mattis, who shares those clear principals, will soon part the administration. but i am particularly distressed that he is resigning due to his sharp differences with the president on these and other key aspects of america's global leadership. it is regrettable that the president must now choose a new secretary of defense. but i urge him to select a leader who shares secretary mattis's understanding of these vital principles and his total commitment to america's servicemembers. john, it's almost as if republicans if awakened from a long dream, sort of a while you were sleeping dream and understood yesterday that donald trump actually -- his foreign policy at least is bad for a

senate majority leader mitch mcconnell says the senate is on pause until it

go for it mitch. incoming senate judiciary committee chair lindsey graham spoke with president trump earlier and tweeted -- just talked with president trump and he strongly believes criminal justice reform bill must pass now. he also indicated he supports put in criminal justice reform on your end spending bill which must include more wall funding. i agree with both. >> tonight, on q&a -- >> i have worked with four people who once and future presidents -- jimmy carter, bill clinton, barack obama, and to my surprise, donald j. trump. s, publisher of many a selling books. >> i also came to understand about donald trump and this is profoundly important for the way things work now is that donald trump in his heart of hearts leaves that he always wins. here is a guy who has been in new york real estate, gambling, ,axing, wrestling, -- boxing wrestling, beauty contests, and he has never been the source of a criminal investigation. >> tonight at 8:00 eastern on c-span's q&a. coming up this weekend on book tv

thank you, mitch. great job. thank you. thank you all. >> who gets that? the old way, one letter at a time. here you go, folks. got plenty. want one? thank you all very much. [ applause ] [ applause ] >> thank you very much, everybody. [ applause ] >> ladies and gentlemen, please remain in the room until the president departs. thank you. ladies and gentlemen, please remain in the room until the president departs. thank you. [ indistinct conversation ] >> the house is working on a continuing resolution that would fund the government through february 8th, but that measure could include funding for a border wall which is not included in the senate version. the senate will gavel in tomorrow at noon to take up the house version of the bill. you can watch the house live on c-span, the senate live here on c-span 2. >> federal reserve chair jerome powell brushed off president trump's critical tweets and expressed confidence in his ability to effectively communicate with the market. his comments came during a news conference wednesday following the federal reserve'

should mitch mcconnell have sent them home?> i don't think we'll do anything between now and christmas? judge jeanine: why not? >> it takes two to tanning oh. schumer demands trump abandon the wall. so senator schumer, we are not going to aban don't wall, we are going to build the wall until all those americans who want us to abandon the wall and open up the border, that's what this fight is about. we don't agree with you. so mark and jim and matt deserve a lot of credit for getting the president in a good spot. i had lunch with the president today. and i can promise you we need more money for the wall along the border. human were wants to abandon the wall. we want to build it. that's what this fight is all about it's a silly, petty fight on behalf of democrats. they voted for $25 billion for the wall and border security. judge jeanine: but they won't vote fear concrete wall. -- for arkon crete wall. ' -- for a concrete wall. >> we need the wall. and after the caravan, the president asked for $1.6 billion for wall funding early

mcconnell has -- senate majority leader mitch mcconnell has gaveled out until the 27th. even if there is some type of agreement on government spending it looks like the senate will not be voting on that for a few days. >> a couple other things, this is a tweet from a white house reporter, in a conference call with reporters to check in to make clear what the president still wants, $5 billion, and he believes money for physical barriers must be included in any deal. clearly the white house is digging in. the president is saying i want that wall. >> this is a complicated process. this has been working itself out through the appropriations process since february when they ask congress for that $1.6 billion for barriers and then to re-up the request in july, asking for $5 billion instead. this is the stalemate that has been happening between democrats, republicans and the white house about how to address border security and whether a physical barrier is the best use of money. >> another report from the "washington post" saying i don't think it is imminent that we will reach

mitch mcconnell is leery to break that. one of the things come up, mcconnell fierce that democrats are in charge of the senate, they rue the day they were granted in power. others say in the party, wait a minute they will do it any way, the day they come back and running that show and it worries them. >> just not that. two things would have to happen. first of all if you are going to do "the nuclear option, lower the filibuster threshold from 60 votes to simple majority for legislation, you would have to do two things. you would have to be backed into parliamentarian certain cul-de-sac. something non-debatable. i will not get much into the weed. they're nowhere near that particular parliamentary posture. number two, this would be subject to budget point of order. you have to get 60 votes to waive the budget act. it wouldn't work there. you don't have a simple majority to establish a new precedent this is not a rules change. the senate has a very small rule book. the book of precedents is about like that. they do a lot on pr

what do you make of the arguments being made by schumer and mitch mcconnell? >> good afternoon, fred, thanks for having me. one of the things that's really outrageous here is how patently obvious and absurd this situation is. republican leader mcconnell trying to disassociate himself from the entire situation just shows their embarrassment. they say the president promised this in the campaign, and he wants to deliver on a campaign promise. this is not a campaign season. this is governing now, and you're supposed to be intelligent and rational about governance, and the wall may have been a great line in a campaign, but it's unintelligent as border security. plus -- >> are you concerned, then, that the president seems to dig in his heels, backing away from a bipartisan plan a couple of days ago and now saying, no, there's got to be funding for a border wall? how concerned are you about the longevity of this shutdown? >> look, with this white house, you would assume that at one point rational and logical thinking would kick in with most white houses. with this wh

and crime and in reference to mitch mcconnell the senate majority leader has expressed concern about why james back to the masses resigned he said mitch use the nuclear option and get it done our country is counting on you well an official is live for us in washington so allan the president clearly not not giving up on on pushing for this border war and taking to his favorite media platform once again one of those tweets there mitch use the nuclear option what's he trying to do there . well this is all about changing the procedures in the senate at the moment if you want to get something through the senate you've got to get sixty votes hundred seat senate sixty votes at the moment the republicans don't have sixty seats so they need support from the democrats democrats i mean absolutely clear that they're not going to fund any part of this border wall therefore any spending bill that goes to the senate which has the border wall inside it will not pass don't trump has been that mitch mcconnell on several occasions over the course of the last two years saying please change the rules of

mitch bahr/former teacher"sarah was in a classroom just like this as a freshman.on focus and gave her a real clear direction in her life."sarah graduated from foothill high school in 20-15. she first walked into this classroom as a freshman..but her former teacher, mitch bahr, says her advancements in music went far beyond the chart notes on these pages. mitch bahr/former teacher"she found people to play with and bands to be involved with some music was just, where ever she was in the world, it was a constant. my memory of sarah mostly from the musical perspective will be how intently she listen and watched me during a show we do called club cougar."from club cougar sarah continued to play drums in minnesota.. and she played while studying abroad in the netherlands.she playing drums.mitch bahr/former teacher "it was a real drive for her to want to be a great female drummer, not just be that girl drummer but be an excellent female drummer and she did that very well."bahr says sarah's life wasn't always easy.her brother committed suicide two years ago.. a loss the f

should mitch mcconnell have sent them home?> i don't think we are going to do anything between now and christmas. judge jeanine: why not. >> it takes two to tango. schumer said, schumer demands trump aban don't wall. senator schumer, we are not going to abandon the wall, we are going to build the wall until all those americans who want us to abandon the wall and open up the border, that's what there is fight is about, we don't agree with you. mark andor jim and matt deserve the credit for getting the president in a good good spot. we need more money for the wall along the border. schumer wants to abandon the wall, we want to build it. that's what this fight is all about it's a silly, petty fight on behalf of democrats. they voted for $25 billion for the wall in border security in february. judge jeanine: but they won't allow for the building of a concrete wall. there was an 8-month pregnant woman who scaled that fence so she could get over here. are you going to have to compromise in the senate to get the wall? i can't believe

nancy pelosi can pass that bill over to mitch mcconnell and over to mitch mcconnell. but here's why i think democrats have a disadvantage and tell me why i'm wrong if i am. democrats do seem to care that the government is closed down whereas republicans don't. gohmert's position is till hell freezes over. the more substantive concerns you have and it will make it harder to sustain. >> absolutely. we do care that it's going to hurt people in our districts across the country. they're working class people. the 1% will not be severely hurt. even very rich people that are not part of the 1% will not be hurt by that but middle class folks will be hurt and we're concerned about that. >> if that's the case at a certain point do you worry the logic well, throw them a $1.5 billion, let them call it whatever he wants and get the government back open. >> throughout the year the senate and both the house worked on comprehensive immigration provisions that included border protection. the senate worked on i thought a very good plan that presented some border security moneys but time

that's mitch playing to the base, to the president's base.ecause mitch knows all too well, senator mcconnell has been there for a long time, he knows how this game is played, and he knows that if you don't spend the money, everything that lynn just said, i won't repeat, but he knows this. so when he is saying what he is saying, he is being disingenuous. in order to sell it. the president came out and owned this. he said he would be happy to shut it down. said it was his shutdown. >> and it is difficult to walk that back. >> well, no, how do you walk that back? >> i mean he is saying it, and so are other republicans who are supporting him, who are saying, yes, it is on the democrats, you own this. but the president said he owns it. >> but fred, he has walked everything back at one point or another, since he's been there. since day one. when they showed his picture and said that the inaugural crowd was the largest ever. they create the facts. and then they want us to report them. it is a long cry from where it was, when reagan, larry said, spea

you mentioned mitch mcconnell. he's back on the floor right now. let's listen in. >> 32 if the nomination is considered and laid upon the table with no intervening action to date that no further motions be in order and that the president be immediately notified of the senate's action. >> without objection. >> i ask unanimous consent the commerce committee be discharged for further consideration, consideration of pn 2507, 2626, 2638, 2679, 2671, the nominations be confirmed. >> the senate majority leader back on the floor at 3:04 p.m. eastern time there in the capitol. it appears he's going through business of the senate. we were looking for details that might give us an indication of potential discussions or progress in the shutdown and ending it. mike, i'm sorry was interrupting you there but we wanted to listen in to see what he might be saying. my -- am i misunderstanding what the majority leader is saying? >> no, the clock is always taking on one piece of legislation or another here in the senate. he said he would not be calling senators back,

pundit steve malzberg and mitch caesar's joining us from florida former a florida state democratic party chairman gentlemen welcome dateline oval office eleven remember this. yes if we don't get what we want one way or the other whether it's through you through a military through anything you want to call i will shut down the go ok and i answer out and i was just wondering i am proud to shut down the government for border security check because the people of this country don't want criminals and people that have lots of problems and drugs pouring into our country so i will take the mantle i will be the one to shut it down i'm not going to blame you for the last time you shut it down and didn't work i will take the mantle of shutting down and i'm going to shut it down the border but we're going to you shouldn't shut it down but you think well as they say the camera never blanks and as we do this show on friday just a little earlier today the senate said no to the nuclear option mitch will the democrats or the republicans end up owning the shutdown. i think the republicans own it first of

we saw mitch mcconnell coming in around 10:30. but we did hear reports, according to our ted barrett on capitol hill, that some senators and their staff were having trouble getting into the compound because they didn't have enough time for the secret service to clear them into the building. that just goes to show just how quickly all of this is unfolding. president trump is trying to get republican senators on the same page as him about the plan to move forward. they passed a bill earlier this week that did not have border funding in it. and now president trump is demanding that any bill that comes to his desk has that money. the problem is, he may not have enough votes to pass it. not only will he need 60 votes, which includes some democrats, to pass it by the end of the day, but he would also need republicans to be onboard. this could be an effort for president trump to really convince his own soldiers to get onboard with this plan. meanwhile, president trump is also pressuring mitch mcconnell to end the filibuster. he's saying

so far mitch mcconnell is not ok with that option. >> it's all up to mitch mcconnell, he has tweeted to mitch mcconnell to get on board, he wants to use the nuclear option. if they did that they give -- they do away with the filibuster, it is already nonexistent with respect to confirmation of judicial positions. >> and her are some instances where you would still need 50 votes, and some senators have pointed out this is one of those cases, you need 60 votes to override a point of order on a budget, according to a budget act, which is a law, not a senate rule. this is going to be a process driven day because there are a lot of different ways the senate can use rules in its favor or to hold up votes they do not want to take. david: the president also tweeted that if they do not come up with a bill it could be a long shutdown. does he have the luxury of doing that? it's not really a complete shutdown, just 25% of the government. >> that makes it easier to shut down the government for a. , --ime -- ripe for of time we a period of time, but should also watch the market reaction. the mark

right now, mike pence and mitch mcconnell. let's lip in. >> reached a procedural agreement to create space for ongoing negotiations over government funding. to provide flexibility as the white house and senate democrats continue their discussions, the senate will officially proceed to the house passed it, officially proceeded to the house-passed funding legislation. so that's pending. but we did so with an understanding that no further votes will occur until the president and senate democrats have reached an agreement to resolve this. let me say that again. we pushed the pause button until the president from whom we will need a signature and senate democrats, from whom we will need votes, reach an agreement. no procedural votes, no test votes, just a meaningful vote on a diplomat agreement whenever that is reached. and, et cetera my hope that it is reached sooner rather than later. it is no mystery why securing our nation's borders is such a major priority for republicans here in the senate. and republicans over in the house.

trump gave majority leader mitch mcconnell a shoutout sunday saying, mitch mcconnell just told a groupin the u.s. senate for 32 years and the last two have been by far the best and most productive of his career. tax and regulation cuts, va choice, farm bill, criminal justice reform, judgeships and much more. great. it's not entirely clear what meeting this was. there's clearly some factual inaccuracies with that. i do want to point out, he was responding to corker's comments yesterday on the "state of the union." corker said the next three months of this presidency could be integral in determining the future of president trump. >> this next three months is going to be a very important three months for our country. i'm cheering the guys on that are there. but i think these next three months could well determine whether he decides to run again or not. >> i mean, do you guys who cover the white house, do you think that the white house views it this way, the next three months are that important, or not? >> look, one of the things that's characterized this white house has not been extended

he said mitch mcconnell needs to fight harder.the president have a problem with mitch mcconnell's willingness to fight on this issue? sanders: he wants them to be aggressive on this front. he would love to see him use a 51 filibuster. that is something he's pushed senator mcconnell on in the past if necessary. the president wants border security, and he's not going to back down on this fight. host: that is from the white house press secretary a short while ago. joining us once again this morning is new this was key -- is neil. since we last spoke a couple of hours ago, we've had those developments commanded president now really pushing mitch mcconnell to effectively change the role -- the rules of the senate using a simple majority vote to set a new president -- a new president that you would only need a 50 plus one vote to limit debate and break off potential filibusters. for frequent c-span viewers come of the cloture votes that are currently 60 votes on the legislative calendar, this isn't exactly surprising. trump has been pus

this is going to be something that mitch mcconnell and others are going to keep in mind.ways felt that when he becomes -- it's a process, it's an ongoing thing. when he becomes too expensive for the party and too dangerous, and i think both are happening, anything can happen. >> what dynamic did you learn? you covered watergate, i think you were at the new yorker for starting in 1972 and sort of chronicling it there in realtime. what was your -- what did you learn about the political dynamics, how quickly they can change many that context? >> well, i started actually in 1973. and on the labor day weekend of 1973, i said to the fabled william shawn, the magnificent editor of ""the new yorker," he said what are you thinking of writing about. i said i think we're going change vice presidents, as rachel has reminded us. spiro agnew was in deep legal trouble already. but i said we're going change presidents and vice presidents within a year. this was a wild thought, but it was my instincts of what i was picking up and smelling and seeing. and that's what's going on now. look,

guest: it is an mitch mcconnell's hands. he has been reluctant to bring it to the floor. -- as been he is said last week that he had 77 votes for the bill. including most republicans. whipcornyn, the republican was not necessarily as convinced about that number. ted cruz came on board. that was a big get. previouswas opposed to versions. so, the fact that ted cruz was convinced that probably, maybe, that pushes them over the finish line in the senate. it takes a week an mitch mcconnell does not want them to take a week on it. host: is mitch mcconnell onboard ?eck guest: so is chuck grassley. the chairman of the judiciary that hee is not happy thought he had a promise. the votes and now they come to the floor and he is not a happy man. chuck grassley often gets what he wants. the incoming senate finance chairman is go to be a popular guy. when the president of united states want something and ted cruz want something, these kinds of things don't want -- don't happen very often. it would be a rare bipartisan capstone in the job

i think mitch mcconnell is on borrowed time with president trump.ch mcconnell was very upset to the president and he said it's up to you, mr. president, to negotiate with the democrats. now he's going to come back and it's going to away different story when the president realizes that he's not going to get what he wants and he wants someone to blame. it won't just be nancy pelosi. mitch mcconnell is up for re-election. i think donald trump is really going the bring it to him. and now is the time -- i say this every time -- is that republicans, we need leadership. we need people to step up and say no. we can't wait this out. it was the theory that we can wait it out, our institutions are strong enough. i remember when the country was on edge when it was -- when we were worried about north yeah and the rocket man tweets. it's so much worse now than that day when you look at where we are as a country today and where the world is. and we just need to see that leadership step up and i hope we do. >> well, you know, rick tyler, susan is talking about mitc

mitch, as in mitch mcconnell, use "the nuclear option and get it done.esident i lost two, at least two republicans vote. corker left town. flake is not on board. he is down to 49. >> i feel like i have a deck chair on the titanic right now. it is going to be one of those crazy days. nobody, griff mentioned nobody knows how today turns out. that's for sure. i don't see how in the world the president can win in the united states senate you need 60 votes. he has 51 at most. a couple republicans deserted for the long holiday weekend. -- weekend. seems nightmare scenario in the president's mind wasn't shutting down the government. it was george h.w. bush saying, read my lips, no new taxes. the president facing the specter of being called, you know, someone who let down his side by abandoning the wall in the first version of the bill that passed for continuation of the government, continuing resolution. did not have any funding for the wall. he wants the wall. he is insisting on the wall. he got the house vote, the last hurrah of the republican majority in the

you had a chance to listen to mitch mcconnell. take away from his remarks. we heard a door open and close, i don't know if the congressman can still hear me. are you still with us, sir? all right, i guess the door opening and closing was the door opening and closing on the satellite window for the congressman. we'll try to get his signal back up. in the meantime, molly, you have to wonder because we keep hearing that it's chuck schumer in negotiations with president trump. and then you wonder, how much of this is really chuck schumer talking to president trump and then nancy pelosi the incoming speaker pulling the strings. because up until january 3rd, this is paul ryan's congress. after that it is nancy pelosi's congress. ralph norman is back with us. has the door reopened, sir, on your satellite window? you can hear us now? >> i can. leland: all right, your thoughts. mitch mcconnell said, basically, us working on this in the senate was useless. we're hitting the pause button. your thoughts. >> well, two things, leyland, it's not about money. the $5 billion

>> chris: mitch mcconnell is, actually, more in line with president trump. he would be okay with funding the wall. he feels like he can get it through. the senate, to the nuclear option, the senate has been degrading as an institution for years and years and years in the u.s. it needs to be a place where the states were represented, tempers were able to cool down. we got rid of that in an amendment, and now we are -- harry reid broke the rules, and i'm cynical about it. i don't think the democratic majority coming and eventually won't break those rules. to your point. they should hold that, because the senate should be a majority majority-run mob-run institution. we're getting closer to that every year. the >> morgan: can i make one plea about what liz said? it's crucial here. to become of the sergeant is not about the ball. the wall as a metaphor for how these two parties feel about border security in general. we have seen the clinton party, even the obama party -- the democrat party -- change dramatically their position on navigation. "i should be abolishi

if they don't take it up, if mitch doesn't take it up, mitch mcconnell, there's going to be hell to pay in the country. and they can't afford to sit on it. >> i mean, that is a -- i think an astute observation of the dynamics. but mcconnell, then, we watched him do this with merit garland and he was happy to have the hell to pay on his shoulders. mcconnell has no constituency he answers to other than the republican donor class and the president essentially. does pressure work anymore on the operators in this sort of game? >> i think it does. i think with the democrats coming in after this amazing blue wave tsunami, whatever you call it, you know, doing the right thing, doing the grown up thing, all eyes are going to be on the senate. >> yeah. >> and mitch mcconnell's running again and there are already lots of funds that are called ditch mitch. he is an astute politician and he's got to get this done. we've got to open up the government and do everything else that we have to do. >> what do you think of that, ben? >> well, i have to say that mitch mcconnell is not someone who's ever seem

not only does mitch mcconnell oppose it, a number of republicans oppose it. they don't have the votes to change the rules. all that means, the one option on the table, short-term funding bill to keep the government open. the president has rejected it. who's going to blink at the end of the day? we don't know. >> why you would ask your republican leadership to change the rules on something you said you would proudly own, mr. president, is a really important question this morning. thank you very much. let us know what you hear. in half an hour, the republican senators will be at the white house. let's go there. abby phillip is following all this. the rules aren't going to change. they're going to need 60 votes. you're not going to get 60 votes for a $5 billion set of funding for the border wall. is the president going to blink in this meeting? >> it seems like this meeting at 10:30 where republicans will be meeting with president trump about the border wall and also about this funding bill is an effort for president trump to really get his soldiers in line. as

a short time ago, majority leader mitch mcconnell adjourned the senate until thursday. however, he said he would call the senate back if a deal is struck. democratic leader, chuck schumer said the president should not expect any bill to pass that includes $5 billion for a wall. earlier president trump tweeted that he's in the white house working hard, negotiating with democrats but he convened a small group of only republican lawmakers to discuss border security. about 800,000 government workers, though, are affected by this shut down as we hit hour 17. roughly 420,000 considered essential are working with no pay and another 380,000 are on unpaid leave. joining me now, "wall street journal" white house reporter vivian solama, political report for the "washington post," eugene scott and nbc news white house correspondent kristen welker. a lot of boxes and expertise. krist kristen welker in new york, what has happened since you and i spoke about an hour ago. >> it's striking that leader mcconnell has said this is not going to be resolved until thursday, after christmas. w

you hear people like mitch mcconnell saying he's greatly distressed. senator from nebraska, said this is a sad day for america when you have a real military hero being placed on principle. the principal, i think that's the distant pushing feature but yeah, you have people who live on administrations, but he sent a line that american alliances are important in the world war ii area and continue to be important and we should be battling isis on the ground and attacking us at home. jesse, asking what's the purpos purpose, -- >> you are making the exact argument that republicans made to stay and when wrecked the peace in iraq, but obama pulled out all the troops and let isis take over? speak republicans very hawkish are worried that he's going to be retreating. >> i think the criticism comes out of a place of concern and support for the president. not the panic you saw in the montage. >> i think it's an achievement of one priority and now it's moving on to another one that may be we are not sure about. you should have a concern about the resurgence of isis

mitch mcconnell urged approval of the bill that approves $5 billion the president wants. >> in my view, this legislation would be quite uncontroversial. and a more normal political moment. in a moment when both parties put the obvious national interest ahead of any personal spite for the president. >> leader mcconnell met with the president at the white house. after the meeting, the mr. trump "totallys quote, prepared for a very long the government shutdown." hadice ruth bader ginsburg two malignant nodules removed from her lung. no further treatment is planned. and85-year-old is resting is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days. more headaches for british holiday travelers. flights were suspended at again after unconfirmed reports that another drone had been spotted. all dayhut down thursday and part of wednesday night when authorities say drones repeatedly violated the airport perimeter. services are being held in scotland and the united states to remember the 270 panam killed when a passenger plane exploded 30 years ago today. an intelligence officer was convicted of the

and mitch mcconnell in wonderment said, he held them all.did, and he did a good job at all of them as anyone will tell you. but you know i talked about the first gulf war and the way that was prosecuted in such a way that it resulted in an overwhelming victory for american forces very swiftly. that is a defining moment for president bush. but i think the defining moment is the way he picked up the torch from ronald reagan, in 1989, and working together with mikhail gorbachev on a project that could have gone south very quickly and very badly oversaw the end of the cold war. and again, angela merkel over the weekend is saying that george bush in germany was considered to be one of the fathers of reunification. that in and of itself was a stunning achievement but it's only one of many achievements that he engaged in. >> stayed with us if you would. if there is something of note, i would like to listen in. >> present arms! ♪ ♪ [ ♪ [my country tis of the the] ♪ ♪ [my country, 'tis of thee] ♪ >> shoulder arms! >> forward march! >> shepard: the re

that from this morning as sara sanders was reporting, the president said mitch used the nuclear option and get it done. our country is counting on you,