He calm out to speak to reporters and talk about the process. Senatorframe, what can you tell us . What can you tell us about the progress you made in there today . There is no way we are going and solvee government immigration at the same time. I think the first thing to do is government, so we can find the pathway forward on disaster military funding and immigration. I cant guarantee the democratic friends will result. I cant guarantee our Democrat Friends will result, but i think is willingy leader the majority leader is willing to make a proposal i can february 8th is and taking up immigration if we dont have a solution by then. Arehat other conversations about what people need and what problems they need regarding immigration . No, i dont think so. Ideass so many different on immigration. Will not shut anyone out. One thing aim committed to. Immigration,dea on you deserve a chance to have it aired and voted on as much as i do. Graham, is it realistic that could be a solutionth . Yeah. Tonight, itt happen will get harder tomorrow. Mcconnellyes to the proposal. I think he is feeling better going that were gives you 52 and democratic friends dont overplay the hand. Shutdown is not a outcome to get an legislatively. We learned that as republicans so february 8th makes sense to me with the commitment to move to immigration. That is enough for me. That is probably enough for him. I will lellet you talk to him. What leverage did it have the nud beth not resolved million we on immigration. March 5th is here before you know it. Publicve 9 of the supporting a pathway so march 5th what does the Republican Party do . We find the solution because we have to . Youenator graham, what do sti democrats who say they cannot interests the president on this . Schumer has chuck been saying on the floor . Le, he is still president. Side of people on our dont trust chuck and not asking anyone to trust anyone. Grow upsking people to and realize that we are in charge of the house and the and that we have an obligation to work across the i say to what would senator schumer . I voted no with you. Shorter and promise if we dont get information we bodys we take it up as that is enough for me. Well, i think i am okay with putting it in the mix of things consider and if the majority further andone step say if we dont resolve it as part of a group of issues then going to in nor the immigration issues. Abouthink it is not just immigration. It is about other things, too. They didnt shut the government down. When did i vote no. Military funding. I want to process results in a issues theto these reason i voted no is 30 days too am looking for will and determinenition and commitment to actually get a but allot just on daca issues. Pathway forward to make sense to me. What is mcconnell promise the do . P he would he said on the floor ten february 8th is enough time to do our business, and that business now includes immigration. So what does that mean . Mitch before has said we can deal with immigration separately. We have until march 5th. There is an emergency on some immigration is not one of those emergencies, but now, he is saying immigration will be part of the package we work toward concluding that were close even though on immigration and not listening, you got to be listening. Statement by the majority leader that ok, well include immigration and a list things that need to be done but in my suggestion is that if make perfect commitment if you dont resolve the shall are immigration issue including security by the 8 well turn attention to that issue. Votes . Uld get a lot of senator, you have had any conversations with the white what at this point about the group has been discussing if no. I am not talking about solution. Was really good a week ago. Andot to do compassion security. Staff is say, the unreliable to work with on this issue. Two examples. The meeting tuesday where the president did a wonderful job, i thought. Administratione for handing out a list of border demands that can be concluded at end, not the beginning. In 16 billiond for the wall, thighs much. I think he was right then what house staff do and of for the congress 33 billion for board needsore ty that so that to stop. We need a reliable partner. The president is in a good spot understanding what deal will work. We just got to commit to it. Is going to do, somebody has got to lead. House staff has been unbelievable. The hout is locked down. Think the senates the best bod dow lead the country to results. President s support eventually but i agree with rand paul. He had open debate on the floor of the senate and the house, we would get the necessary votes in both chambers and the president would sign it. When does that debate begin . February 8th. Gin will you take it directly to coming mcconnell in the hour says no think senator mcconnell i am ready to vote already. Heard a commitment and the package of things to be considered. Making a suggestion there are a lot of democrats and that need to know that if we cannot resolve immigration, it before to march 5th and if the majority theer said i am committing body to do that, february 8th we you will getration more than 60 votes for cr. If you dont reach a deal worse . , will it get oh, yeah. Mitch is right. Valh has proposal we should rally in it a. It can change a bit and get there. I thought the speaker last night. To reason, he has got the house. He said one thing i dont want you to do is do anything that defoons me you know . You are right. Is tough over there. You do what you think. It is time for the senate. We led on immigration. Being the white house to find a which to work with us and get the yes. That isposal reasonable. Thet is true, that president and senator schumer agreed to a number offered by daysresident a couple of ago on border security, we should be 9 there if that is true. Talking about i like general kelly. I think he is a conperful man. I am saying i think the reason pass sothese things mr. Miller, i have known him for a long time. I know he is passionate. Is supporting the president. I will tell you the deal of immigration has never been in the mainstream. We are never going to get this as long as we embrace cannot possibly get 60 votes. Concepts i completely reject, we have too much Legal Immigration. Wants to mr. Miller restrict Legal Immigration at shortageave a worker and declining population. We need more legal im cooperation. So mr. Miller has evolved on pathway to citizenship, but to for every green card you give opinion. Wants to take one ou out of the system i dont want green cards eni near fuss are working out there working and worker. A construction i want some of those foam have a way to stay here. But if you are running a business, you have a worker who is really good, and i want them to have a chance to get a green card. I dont want to be a country in computere of just engineers or hightech people. What role has he played in . I think general kelly ordered the can ios in the white house. I dont know what medal you could give him. At thecreated a process white house on immigration and he has tough decision. Said wanted to be gear the daca population. I think he has realistic view of marquette wilber and the president has got. Tuesday i want comprehensive immigration. I want it done with love and security and lets get on with it. Get astop this we solution. If he comes back, and well get deal. But they keep pulling him back, it is hard to get this issue over. I would say this from the Republican Partys point of view. Righte evolved in all the ways. It ised to be amnesty was of affording 11 Million People nu taken on a different view. There are some out there on the right that if we listen to them. Thoseade a libbing issues. I have long sense let him go. People on the left that want jump top leave. The resistant movement and to him. S listen we go nowhere so after 25 senators. We are going to get later. Ooner rather than what does those senators think could be done . I will not talk about proposals. I think the senators in that room believe well lose when it comes to Government Shutdown. The consensus in that room is, is now time to deal with and best to do it together as part of overall to solve other problems. Dont know what they are going to do. I can say this. Willing, i think in large numbers to move to immigration on a date certain if find a solution before that date. February 8th is three weeks to work on issues and vote the leader mitchmy mcconnell and in grudded immigration the mix for the enoughime this that is for me. If there is any more willingness about the leader to say well guaranteemigration i we will if we dont find a res lugs and should be enough for everybody. Senator, we are not tagging about a new piece of legislation. And cook upped in they dont the colleague and graham to start the process. Know it was not going to become i thought it with reasonable proposal in the four agreed on in the meeting. It is going to get better. It is going to move though right some and give things to the democrats want to get and it is not the bible, mr. Cotton, senator cotton and perdue have idea. Am not exincluding any idea. The original dream act. I am asking fors the senate to go back in business and do knownhe senate has been for for a couple hundred years body having debate worthy and let forces be heard. Not 60 votes. My goal is 75 votes. Senator do you this think the arecratic colleagues feeling the pressure . What have you been hearing from them . They dont. Good listeners. I have been there. Listen, it is not a win for us. First prize in a Government Shutdown as you get to be dumb, not dumber. The best you can hope for guy or galhe dumbest in the room. Lamar made a good point and made it consistently. Shutdown should not be used as leverage and when work welld it didnt and if they do it it will not work well. Iny got plenty of leverage terms of making sure the daca dealt with and they got budget caps. Deadline is the proposed by the president which gives us urgency so well get dont tonight, then i am really worried about where this thing goes because it nastier in terms of rhetoric. Steve king has a view of information that is i think not best for the country but has had atton, he bill out there. He deserves to be heard and i appreciate the fact that he is involved in immigration issues. And speaker ryan the only Health Member you have spoken ryan thes speaker only house member you have spoken with . The reason i have not voted for the 30 day extension is it d the military. Are you concerned that graham. R senator midafternoon today as we come up on some 00 eastern on day number 7 00 eastern on day number two of the Government Shutdown. Opening our funds. 488920. S call 2027 as we have been doing, were going to open up a phone line for federal employees. 2027488923. News about a possible shift in the schedule. Movees say the sides will to a possible 10 00 p. M. Eastern c. R. ,nd end debate on the 3 week, to reopen government. Lets get to your calls. Lets hear from catherine on our democrats line. I am a member of the Democratic Committee here in my area. Every time this comes to a shut down, it really goes to blame in both parties. At this point it becomes a game andth the employees of the fedel government, low level, and up paying the price in some regard. Not only that but with issues like daca, people are in a Holding Pattern for what . They are not trying to save face. It is a gain. It is a game. The capital, do the job we asked you to do. We know you are not perfect. Once you are there, cut the crap and just vote. Host do you think this might do damage to your party locally or nationally . It seems to go back and forth. After roy moores loss, republicans were worried. Now with republicans calling this the schumer shutdown, people are fed up in general. New in a blue state like york. They do not trust politicians. That is why we have a reality won ande trump having now people are talking about operah 2020. Politics has changed and there is no truth in it. Not trust in it. More no more trust in the whole system. Lets go to susan in canton, ohio. I am a 70yearold veteran of this country and i have never seen such hatred from the democrats and such stalling on things like the daca program, which is being worked on. They are playing a big game with everybody and i am calling because i am so upset that now that they have caused this shutdown, our military will not be paid until this shutdown is over. Our parks systems and so many other things we deserve to have in this country. The daca program has been nthe sole focus ofhe them and that is why they are holding out. They have such hatred for our new president donald trump. He has done some terrific things since being in office. Everybody knows it. This small thing about daca, they are using it as a stalling technique to keep this Government Shutdown. Im a military veteran and i am personally offended because our military will do what they have to do. Right now, if they have a shutdown enforced, they will not get paid. That i think its much more important than the Doctor Program daca program right now. It is cruel and hateful. Host lets go to our democrats line. Larry in iowa. I wanted to make a remark that listening to this shutdown and what they are trying to do the republicans runnate the house and the house and senate, then why are we shut donw . Down . Republicans, they are blaming the democrats and the b ottom line is the republicans are who is to blame and who caused it. Host all the focus continues to be on the u. S. Senate with meetings throughout the day. K,e reporting of emily clar the headline, Republican Leaders ise action on immigration but offer no way to bridge the divide. There is little Evidence Congress will have to will be able to bridge the stark divide. The house is holding out for a measure that would impose tough new laws and restrictions. There is a broad consensus on both side of the aisle that immigration requires a compromise. Said Mitch Mcconnell today on the lord. Floor. He senate we got to columbus, indiana. Independent line. Im a 24yearold republican who i personally believe that the sides of congress are acting really silly. Sides areboth responsible for the shutdown and ridiculousk it is tot the American People have novice thinguch a from both sides. Host thank you, just remember downrn in your turn your television when you get through. We hear from leavenworth, kansas and david. I do not know why socalled not sital parties can down and talk things over and do away with the parties and everyone vote independent. They are just putting money in their own pockets. They could care less about federal and leave employees. Host what kind of work do you do in leavenworth . I work for the department of defense. Host will you be required to come to work tomorrow . Yes. Host are you one of those exempt employees . I am an exempt employee and if everybody elses off, i have to work whether i get paid or not. Host will stay on our employees line or rather we will go to the independent line and jim. There is a lot of rhetoric going on and i was listening to some reviews of people interviewed about what went on when trump had folks at the white house talking to them about what were going to do. I do not think we are getting all the information we should be getting in terms of a critical goes on behind closed doors. People say they went for the wall but they did not. I think the American People are not getting informed well and i am wondering how can we change that. Host how would you change it . We talked about all these meetings going on on resolving nots issue but they are happening on the senate floor. There is no one speaking at this hour. Jim, would you force people to at the meeting in the open to open. Hese meetings in the i dont think it would be a bad idea. At the same time, we are all getting your say. Heresay. Who is telling the truth anymore, in terms of politics . This legal stuff is complicated. Did schumer say i will give you the money or did he say i will agree to what we agreed before. Terms. T sure the exact all of a sudden, trump got confused and said no deal would be daca with the daca. This whole lottery system, if you go way back, it was actually instituted because the italians and the irish were not getting in during the bad times. That is when that was instituted. Been when the economy then w hen the economy turned around in italy and ireland, they kept it in place. It has been on the docket to get rid of for a long time in a bipartisan way. I wish someone would come in with an objective and say this is what is going on. And try to educate us as folks looking on. And it isis heresay not fact all the time. The issue of immigration is central to the discussion of federal government funding. We heard senator graham coming out from behind those closed ofr meetins and was critical the role of white house advisor Stephen Miller in these negotiations. A correspondent from the Washington Post tweets, as long as senator graham chooses to support legislation that sides of people in this country illegally and unlawfully instead of our own american citizens, we are going nowhere. Rs. S been an outlier for yeat he saysg that program, the white house statement on grand being an outlier when outlier does not bode well for things that the capital. Gregg in ohio. I am a federal employee who just retired and also served in the military. Have been ongh i one side of the party line all my life, i blame both sides. I believe very be a fundamental rule change. Ive seen on the military and civilian side how it affects people. Im waiting on my tension. They are already behind on doing tensions and now with the pensions and now the government closing, it will be more time before i get my tension. Pension. Host we do know the Social SecurityDepartment Said those c hecks will continue to come out. You have heard from opm that your pension payment would not be coming . They will be coming but they will be later. The pension i am getting is not coming directly from Social Security. It is coming from opm and another pot. Opm has been late in getting retirees their pensions. That part of the government furloughing their employees, that will make the process of getting pensions out to retirees further down the line. Hearing that from fellow retirees and how late are they . I have friends who retired over the last few years and it typically takes 3 to 6 months for a Government Employee who has fully retired to give their ension. On what youlive months. Ed for 5 or 6 host we appreciate for your service and good luck in retirement. In alabama on our democratsline. Im calling about the republicans putting chips as a bartering system against the democrats. That should be automatic these children should be served so they can be well and healthy. It is a disgrace to know that people who say they are republicans and christians, while i dont think that is what jesus would think. They are his children. And when you vote against them and them in a situation where they cannot afford to go to the have 20and we deaths from the flu. Maybe those people would take their child faster to the doctor if they had insurance. I was denied because i did not have insurance during kidney failure. It was up to me, medicare came in and paid some and i had to pay the rest. Yet they voted against obamacare. That gave people like me with preexisting conditions a chance to be taking care of. I do not understand why the republicans would stand against the state, seniors and children sick, seniors and children. Host we will be here throughout the evening if necessary with the house possibly coming back in. And the senate this evening is being aired on cspan2. The live coverage is there. All available on cspan. Org. Marilyn, lets go to kimberly. She is a federal employee just off of the nations capital. Tothis blame game needs stop. The president , republicans and democrats are all at fault and we federal employees are in the middle. Im a parent with a disadvantaged child. Host do you have to show up for work tomorrow morning . Yes, i am supposed to show up for work and get a official piece of paper saying i am furloughed and put a special message on the computer and a special message on the phone. Then i am told to leave until something happens. What the senators and representatives and the president needs to understand, of federal employees are us federal employees are one of the people who voted them in and we will remember this when it comes time to vote again. Host the independent line. I have two comments. If you think about what i have to say, it might make sense. If we separate the budget and immigration and if our leaders committed to opening the government tomorrow, dealing with the budget and an absolute commitment that immigration will be addressed. And here is where everyone is going to go off the rails. Amnesty. If you are retroactive, you are affecting families and children who are doing nothing but living in america. Im talking about cubans and people from el salvador and all the children of daca. If you do grant amnesty and then reform the immigration system, not everybody is going to be happy but at least it is a level playing ground and the country can catch up fiscally. Ive heard complaints about immigrants using our social services. Reform immigration, just do not go retroactive and deport people. The people who are going to be deported are the people who actually report. Not the people who were disparaging, the criminals and rapists. The people who checkin and our legal and have drivers licenses peoplele in this who have been here. Host thank you for all your comments. The senate is still in session. We are standing by for the house possibly in session. The senate is live on cspan2 and our coverage is on cspan. Org. Mr. President , President Trump did not vote to shut down the government