Feud over debt deal

Amid feud over debt deal, Trump scolds GOP over Obamacare, filibuster

By LOUIS NELSON

President Donald Trump chided members of his own party once again Friday morning, complaining on Twitter that Republicans have failed thus far to pass legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare and urging the Senate once more to do away with its filibuster rules.

“Republicans, sorry, but I've been hearing about Repeal & Replace for 7 years, didn't happen!” Trump wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “Even worse, the Senate Filibuster Rule will never allow the Republicans to pass even great legislation. 8 Dems control - will rarely get 60 (vs. 51) votes. It is a Repub Death Wish!”

In another online post, the president urged Republicans to start work right away on another of his legislative priorities, tax reform. “Republicans must start the Tax Reform/Tax Cut legislation ASAP. Don't wait until the end of September. Needed now more than ever. Hurry!” he said.

Trump’s feud with Republican lawmakers hit a high-water mark this week when the president struck a deal with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to raise the debt ceiling, avert a government shutdown and provide relief funding for the victims of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Gulf Coast last month.

The deal struck by Trump, which raised the debt ceiling and funds the government for three months, had been panned by Republican leaders, who appeared caught off guard by the president’s bipartisan deal.

But even before this week’s debt ceiling deal with Democrats, Trump was already feuding with top Republicans, namely McConnell. The president spent much of Congress’s August recess lobbing criticism at the majority leader, attacking him for the Senate’s inability to pass healthcare reform.

McConnell, too, has been critical of the president, remarking that Trump’s lack of political experience has contributed to his “excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process.” McConnell has also sworn, despite Trump’s urging, that the legislative filibuster will remain intact during his tenure as majority leader.