Federal funding measure approved to avoid government shutdown

U.S. Capitol
President Trump is threatening to veto a $1.3 trillion spending bill due to a lack of funding for a border wall. (Photo courtesy CNN)

By Eric Stock

WASHINGTON – The nation has a $1.3 trillion bill to fund the federal government and avoid a shutdown.

Democrat Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth supported the measure but complained it doesn’t spare the DACA program that protects so-called dreamers. U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, voted for the measure. He told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin Democrats have no one to blame but themselves, because they didn’t back funding for a border wall.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Davis on WJBC.

“I’m sick and tired of hearing (Senate Minority Leader) Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin and those who say they want to fix the DACA problem make up an excuse everyday,” Davis said. “I’m sure the president will use some foul language and take any proposal off the table for these guys.

“They don’t want to negotiate. they want this to be a political issue.”

Durbin said he will continue to fight to protect dreamers.

“While this bill seemingly addresses every subject under the sun, it does not address the looming fate that our Dreamers face in America,” Durbin said in a statement. “I’m disappointed by this.”

President Donald Trump signed the measure despite tweeting early Friday threatening to veto the bill because it doesn’t extend DACA or fund the wall.

China

Fears of a possible trade war with China have United States farmers concerned as China is the world’s top buyer of soybeans.

Davis said farmers’ concerns are justified but he said the Trump Administration will protect America agriculture.

“That’s why we are consistently watching whether or nor there’s any impact on the president’s rhetoric and proposals,” Davis said. “I think farmers can rest assured that the most of the other marketplaces that their products go out into are going to be exempt from any proposal the president that has put forth.”

Davis said China has not been a fair trading partner with the U.S.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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