Wow: Trump's Budget Director Predicts How Long Shutdown Could Last

Leah Barkoukis | January 22, 2018 7:03 AM

If Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney is right, the government shutdown may not wrap up as quickly as many are hoping.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Mulvaney predicted the shutdown could last more than a week, but expressed hope it is resolved in time for federal employees to return to work on Monday morning, which did not happen as the vote was moved from 1 a.m. Monday to noon.

“I think Democrats want to see the president give the State of the Union under a shutdown,” he told host Chris Wallace.

The State of the Union is January 30.

No matter how long the government shutdown lasts, Mulvaney said it will not be as dramatic as the 2013 shutdown.

"Most Americans won't see a difference. You go to the airport on Monday, the TSA will still be there. The military is still at work," he said. "Now, they're not getting paid, and that's wrong, but in terms of what you will see, it will not be as dramatic as what you saw in 2013."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell gave an update on where things stood Sunday night.

A quick update on the where things stand in the #Senate. pic.twitter.com/BalWNAdBCn
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) January 22, 2018

“It would be my intention to proceed to legislation that would address DACA, border security and related issues. It is also my intention to take up legislation on increased defense spending, disaster relief and other important matters,” he said.