Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said Thursday he’s completely happy with President Trump’s decision to take a Democratic proposal to extend government spending and borrowing authority for three months, instead of the longer-term deal Republicans were seeking.
“I’m sort of thrilled,” Cole said on MSNBC. “I think the president made the right decision.”
Cole said the three month deal, which many Republicans seemed willing to accept earlier this week, will allow the government to quickly appropriate money to deal with the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. it will also give the GOP more time to negotiate a longer-term spending deal.
“I think the president was wise to clear the decks,” he said.
“You can count me as pleased with what the president did and I think he’s positioned us well as a party, and frankly, has positioned the country well to come to a larger deal in November and December that’ll give us some stability for a long stretch of time,” he said.
Trump surprised Republicans Wednesday by quickly accepting the Democrats’ position that only a short-term extension should be approved this week, both on federal spending and borrowing. The government is expected to be able to not borrow any more money after Sept. 29 without congressional approval.
