Senate

Schumer to Trump: Get your own ‘act together’ before blaming Dems

by Jordain Carney - 03/01/17 12:08 PM ET

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday that President Trump should offer his own proposals before blaming Democrats for obstructing his agenda.

“We have nothing from the administration — nothing on infrastructure, nothing on trade, nothing even on the [Affordable Care Act] — so you want to sit down and talk, let’s see what your plans are,” the Senate’s top Democrat said.

Schumer added: “Get your own act together before you point the fingers at Democrats.”

{mosads}In his address to Congress Tuesday, Trump urged Democrats to work with Republicans on a number of policy issues, telling lawmakers to set aside “trivial fights” and “small thinking.”

But Trump and Republican lawmakers have been vague and even disagree about some details of key details of the GOP’s legislative priorities, including repealing and replacing ObamaCare, passing a major infrastructure package, or reforming the tax code.

The president gestured toward Democrats seated in front of him during his mention of “trivial fights.” The Democrats were spotted gesturing back and laughing.

Because Republicans are eight votes short in the Senate of a 60-vote majority to get through filibusters, Trump will need the support of at least eight Senate Democrats to pass key legislation.

Republicans have lauded Trump’s speech as a positive message on moving the country forward.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) urged Democrats to work with his caucus from the Senate floor on Wednesday.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to improve the lives of the men and women who sent us here. That’s why we all signed up for this job in the first place, and I’m not just talking about Republicans,” he said.

McConnell added that Democrats are facing pressure from the left to “burn the place down,” but that they should “meet the moment” and work with Republicans.

“[They] can’t accept the results of last year’s election,” the Kentucky Republican said. “We each have a duty to bring the country together and move it forward. That is now the challenge before our Democratic friends.”

Schumer quickly fired back that he listened to McConnell’s speech on bipartisanship, “not that [McConnell] ever engaged in very much of it when he was leader last year.”

Tags Chuck Schumer Mitch McConnell