The spending agreement reached by congressional leaders and the White House on Sunday night would not only keep the government running past Friday, but would fund a portion of President Trump’s top priorities, Vice President Mike Pence said Monday.
In an interview with CBS, Pence said the agreement is a good start to getting Trump’s agenda kicked into gear in Washington.
“It’s a bipartisan win for the American people,” he said.
The deal still needs to go to a vote in Congress, and if it doesn’t pass by Friday the government would go in a partial shutdown. However, Trump and leaders of both parties in both chambers of Congress have signed off on the deal.
Pence said the deal increases military spending and puts a “down payment” on increased security on the border with Mexico. While that doesn’t mean any funding for Trump’s planned border wall with Mexico, it’s being counted as a win by the administration.
Pence also touted increased health benefits for coal miners in Appalachia and a school choice program for students from low-income families in Washington, D.C. as wins for Trump in the spending bill.
“We couldn’t be more pleased that, thanks to President Trump’s leadership and direct engagement, leaders in the House and Senate of both parties sign off on a budget deal,” he said.
