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U.S. NEWS Thursday 7 december 2017
Trump says government shutdown possible, blames Democrats

By ALAN FRAM have a great, beautiful
ANDREW TAYLOR crime-free country.”
Associated Press His remarks before a Cabi-
WASHINGTON (AP) — net meeting drew a tweet
President Donald Trump from House Minority Leader
warned Wednesday that Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. She
a government shutdown called Trump “the only per-
was possible this weekend son talking about a govern-
because Democrats were ment shutdown” and said
demanding to have “illegal Democrats hoped Trump
immigrants pouring into our would consider “an agree-
country,” tossing incendi- ment to address the urgent
ary rhetoric onto a partisan needs of the American
showdown that had been people and keep govern-
showing signs of easing. ment open.”
Trump’s comments risked Hours later, the White House
roiling a White House released a more concilia-
meeting with congressio- tory statement that praised
nal leaders of both par- Congress’ top Democrats,
ties planned for Thursday Pelosi and Senate Minor-
aimed at averting a shut- ity Leader Chuck Schumer.
down and sorting through The statement by spokes-
year-end disputes over the woman Lindsay Walters
budget, immigration and From left, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis., House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., and said the two Democrats
other issues. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., meet with reporters after House Republicans held a had decided to “put their
With money for federal closed-door strategy session as the deadline looms to pass a spending bill to fund the government responsibility to the Ameri-
agencies running out at by week’s end, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. can people above parti-
midnight Friday, Republi- (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) sanship” and said Trump
can leaders plan to push Democrats have been us- an agreement to extend “It could happen,” Trump was anticipating produc-
a bill through Congress this ing their leverage to insist protections for hundreds said about a shutdown. tive talks between “leaders
week financing the govern- on spending boosts for of thousands of immigrants He said Democrats “want who put their differences
ment through Dec. 22. That health care, infrastructure who arrived in the U.S. il- to have illegal immigrants aside.”
would give bargainers time and other domestic pro- legally as children. Trump pouring into our country Trump had criticized Pelosi
to work through their dis- grams that would match in- ended safeguards against bringing with them crime, and Schumer, D-N.Y., short-
agreements, but they will creases Republicans want deportation three months tremendous amounts of ly before a similar meeting
need Democratic votes to for defense. ago but has expressed an crime. We don’t want to last week, which Demo-
succeed. Democrats are also seeking openness to restoring them. have that. We want to crats then boycotted.q
Schumer adds to calls for Franken resignation

By ANDREW TAYLOR reer in shambles amid aside. The demands came
Associated Press sexual misconduct allega- in rapid succession after
WASHINGTON (AP) — The tions, lost the support of Franken on Wednesday
top Senate Democrat says his Democratic colleagues vehemently denied a new
Sen. Al Franken should re- Wednesday and faced sexual misconduct accu-
sign as allegations of sexual new pressures to resign sation that came from a
misconduct against the over what a fellow senator former Democratic con-
Minnesota lawmaker mul- said was a “clear pattern” gressional aide, who said
tiply. of abuse. he tried to forcibly kiss her
In a brief statement on Franken’s support in the after a taping of his radio
Wednesday, Minority Lead- Senate crumbled after an- show in 2006. The woman,
er Chuck Schumer of New other woman emerged who was not identified,
York said: “I consider Sena- saying he forcibly tried to told Politico that Franken
tor Franken a dear friend kiss her in 2006, bringing to pursued her after her boss
and greatly respect his ac- seven the number of wom- In this Nov. 27, 2017 photo, Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., speaks to had left and she was col-
complishments, but he has en accusing him of sexual the media on Capitol Hill in Washington. Franken is denying an lecting her belongings. She
a higher obligation to his impropriety. More than a accusation by a former Democratic congressional aide that he said she ducked to avoid
constituents and the Sen- half dozen female Demo- tried to forcibly kiss her after a taping of his radio show in 2006. his lips, and that Franken
ate, and he should step cratic senators and some (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) told her: “It’s my right as an
down immediately.” men called on him to re- ior,” said Sen. Patty Murray, draw a line in the sand and entertainer.” Franken, in a
The statement came after sign. D-Wash. “It’s clear to me say none of it is OK, none of statement, said the idea he
a majority of Senate Demo- The Minnesota Demo- that this has been a deeply it is acceptable and we, as would claim such conduct
crats, led by female mem- crat scheduled an an- harmful, persistent problem elected leaders, should ab- as a right as an entertainer
bers, called for Franken to nouncement for Thursday, and a clear pattern over solutely be held to a higher was “preposterous.” But it
quit as a fresh accusation and while his office didn’t a long period of time. It’s standard.” was soon clear that Fran-
emerged about the sena- specify the topic, Sen. Ron time for him to step aside.” Minority Leader Chuck ken’s position had become
tor. Wyden, D-Ore., said he ex- “Obviously, there were Schumer, D-N.Y., did not untenable, and his office
Franken plans to make an pected Franken to resign new allegations today, and immediately comment, but later issued a statement
announcement on Thurs- at that time. enough is enough,” Sen. Minority Whip Dick Durbin, saying, “Senator Fran-
day. “I’m shocked and appalled Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., D-Ill., was among those ken will be making an an-
Franken, his political ca- by Sen. Franken’s behav- told reporters. “We need to calling for Franken to step nouncement tomorrow.q