House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are refusing to show up for negotiations with the White House to end the government shutdown. However, they're geared up and ready with a response to President Trump's primetime address, slated for 9 p.m. ET Tuesday night.
"Now that the television networks have decided to air the President’s address, which if his past statements are any indication will be full of malice and misinformation, Democrats must immediately be given equal airtime," a joint statement reads.
Now that the television networks have decided to air the President’s address, which if his past statements are any indication will be full of malice and misinformation, Democrats must immediately be given equal airtime.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 8, 2019
My statement with @SpeakerPelosi: pic.twitter.com/KIQPrdXEeg
But while the White House has spent weeks working to end the shutdown, with President Trump staying in Washington D.C. over Christmas and cancelling a trip to Florida, Pelosi went to a resort in Hawaii. When asked about why she bailed out, she said it was "unimportant." She also went on a weird rant about singing Silent Night on Christmas Eve, watching dancers and Hawaii being part of the United States.
"It's not important, it's totally not important," Pelosi said. "Our members stood ready and were on alert, in constant communication to open up government. The President is proud shutting down government."
Meanwhile, this is where things stand with negotiations.
V.P. Mike Pence and group had a productive meeting with the Schumer/Pelosi representatives today. Many details of Border Security were discussed. We are now planning a Steel Barrier rather than concrete. It is both stronger & less obtrusive. Good solution, and made in the U.S.A.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2019