Rep. Tom Cole: CR Is ‘a Possible Outcome ... I Think a Shutdown’s a Losing Game’

EXCERPT:

COLE: "I wouldn't say it's the likely outcome. It's a possible outcome. I think it's a very fluid situation. But we're producing a lot of problems. And finally, for the first time in three years, the Senate looks like it’s going to bring appropriations bills to the floor, because it doesn’t help us to pass bills if they don’t. So they’ve gotta do their part in this. And I know Susan Collins is really trying, and we finally have a majority leader in Johnson that I  think wants to make that happen. And then, honestly, in the end, the Democrats, they decide, if you want a deal, you want a shutdown, you want a show? What do you want to do? It’s really not our choice. I think the shutdown is a losing game to them. They should have learned that the last time, but they beat up poor Chuck Schumer when he did the right thing, kept the government open, right things that the government open and accepted the CR. We had a much better deal on the table for them that they took. That was up to them. But right now, the Democratic base is in the mood where they think if you make a deal with Trump, you've made a deal with the devil and there’s no possible good outcome. That’s unfortunate because president’s gonna be the president for four years, so you better learn how to deal with it. Just like we’re in the majority in both chambers, right now, and Democrats to come to that deal. But they're still indispensable in arriving at a deal. They have lots of cards to play here. The filibuster guarantees that here. And honestly, if they come to a deal in the Senate, I’m gonna lose 20 guys on the right. So they’re going to be -- they'll be playless here. But they really have to decide, do you want a deal or not?"