Additionally, Schumer said he asked Trump to open up the government because many people will not be able to pay their bills. However, the President responded, “If I open up the government, you won’t do what I want.”
Schumer criticized Trump’s response as “cruel” and “callous” because he is “using millions of people as sort of pawns.” He reiterated that Democrats wants to “come to an agreement” and they “believe in border security.”
Furthermore, he stated that they already submitted their proposals on border security over the past several weeks.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Pelosi said Trump is “insensitive” to the situation of federal workers affected by the shutdown.
According to her, “He thinks maybe they could just ask their father for money, but they can’t…If you don’t understand financial insecurity then you would have a policy that takes pride in saying, ‘I’m going to keep government shut down for months or years unless you totally agree to my position.’ “
