GOP Sen. Rick Scott says 'it's up to the Democrats' whether a government ... trends now
Republican senators indicated to DailyMail.com on Wednesday that they are frustrated with the pace of negotiations aimed at keeping the government open, as the December 16 deadline to pass a spending bill and avert a shutdown looms just over a week away.
Last week it appeared that Democrats and Republicans would work together for a year-long 'omnibus' spending bill to keep agencies open and federal workers paid.
But conservatives have called on GOP leaders to shift gears and pass a short-term resolution that would punt discussions over a longer funding bill into early next year - when Republicans control the House of Representatives.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was confident about a bipartisan 12-month bill last week, but backpedaled to say discussions were at an 'impasse' after his caucus's weekly policy luncheon on Tuesday.
If they fail to come to an agreement, the federal government will run out of funding next Friday.
'It's up to the Democrats. The Democrats can make that decision, they're the ones that [have control of Congress]' right now,' Florida Sen. Rick Scott told DailyMail.com at the US Capitol on Wednesday.
'I don't want a government shutdown, I don't think any of us do, but we shouldn't be passing a Pelosi-Schumer spending bill.'
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, meanwhile, accused Democrats of playing 'politics' with federal funding legislation.
Florida Senator Rick Scott told DailyMail.com after his Wednesday press conference on federal spending: 'I don't want a government shutdown, I don't think any of us do, but we shouldn't be passing a Pelosi-Schumer spending bill'
Republicans have argued that passing an omnibus bill before the year is up will solidify left-wing spending priorities in a year where voters chose to take control of half of Congress away from Democrats.
'There's an understandable desire on the part of the incoming members - and especially on the part of those who elected them - that you're not going to have spending decisions made by the outgoing Congress that was just voted out of office and out of control of the majority,' Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee said during a Wednesday press
