Sen. Rob Portman said Wednesday that the continuing resolution ought to have protections for DACA recipients, but should be a long-term bill through the fiscal year.
“We’ve got to be sure that these specific kids who came here through no fault of their own, and I do believe that ought to be taken care of, but we’ve got to also ensure that we don’t continue to have the problem,” the Ohio Republican said on “The Hugh Hewitt Show.”
He said that President Trump and other Republicans are right to say that the immigration issue is bigger than protecting those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, but said that issue takes precedent because of the March 5 deadline when the program is set to expire.
“Let’s get this first one out of the way as part of the CR and have this continuing resolution go to the end of the fiscal year,” he said. “Let’s not continue to kick the can down the road.”
He said the issues that need to be addressed in the funding bill are ones Democrats and Republicans largely agree on, so a shutdown should be avoidable. If Congress fails to reach a deal by Jan. 19, however, the government could partially shut down.
• Sally Persons can be reached at spersons@washingtontimes.com.
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