Hours after veto threat, Trump signs spending bill, avoiding government shutdown

David Jackson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump signs spending bill despite veto threat President Trump says he signed a $1.3 trillion spending measure averting a government shutdown hours after saying he was considering a veto. He warns Congress he "will never sign a bill like this again." (March 23)

WASHINGTON — President Trump took Washington on another wild ride Friday — first threatening to trigger a government shutdown with a spending bill veto, then just as abruptly changing his mind and signing a $1.3 trillion budget plan after all.

"There are a lot of things that I'm unhappy about in this bill ... I will never sign another bill like this again," Trump said during a hastily arranged signing ceremony, but he decided to so because the plan includes necessary military spending.

The latest Trump mini-drama began, as it often does, with a tweet.

Shortly before 9 a.m., Trump stunned Republican lawmakers by threatening to veto the spending bill because of lingering disputes over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall and the failure to address an immigration program for children.

While Trump's own budget director, Mick Mulvaney, had announced the day before that the president would sign the bill, Trump political supporters criticized the plan on social media and cable television. They protested the bill's cost and said Trump had been outflanked on the wall and other items.

Lawmakers, many of whom were out of town when Trump sent his veto threat, had little choice but to tweet expressions of support or criticism. Trump, meanwhile, spoke with advisers, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, a supporter of the defense increases in the bill.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m., Trump announced he would soon have something more to say on the subject.

Less than an hour later, Trump made his new announcement.

During a rambling, 22-minute statement in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House, Trump also talked about trade deals and invited guests such as Mattis and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to the podium to discuss their efforts.

Along the the way, Trump again called for an end to the filibuster rule that allows the minority party to block items unless they receive 60 votes — a maneuver the Democrats used to extract concessions from Trump and the Republicans in this bill.

News conference at the White House concerning the Omnibus Spending Bill. 1:00 P.M. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2018

The president again called for a line-item veto of budget bills, even though the Supreme Court has declared that tool unconstitutional.

Trump also balked at the overall $1.3 trillion price tag of the bill — "the number is so large; it'll start coming down" — but said "we had no choice but to fund our military."

He also vowed to keep pushing for money for his border wall.

While Trump billed the event as a "news conference," he took only two questions.

The president repeated his explanation that, while he "looked" at a veto, he decided to sign because of the defense money.

He also sloughed off market concerns about the prospects of tariffs on China.

"I think the stock market is going great," Trump said. "China is going to end up treating us fairly."

The veto tweet no doubt surprised Republican congressional leaders, who thought they had secured Trump's approval this week.

I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill based on the fact that the 800,000 plus DACA recipients have been totally abandoned by the Democrats (not even mentioned in Bill) and the BORDER WALL, which is desperately needed for our National Defense, is not fully funded. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 23, 2018

More: Senate passes sweeping $1.3 trillion spending bill, sending it to Trump's desk

With neither House or Senate in session Friday, the response from members of Congress took the form of a cascade of tweets.

One of the first to respond. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., encouraged Trump to veto the bill.

"I am just down the street and will bring you a pen," Corker said. "The spending levels without any offsets are grotesque, throwing all of our children under the bus. Totally irresponsible."

Please do, Mr. President. I am just down the street and will bring you a pen. The spending levels without any offsets are grotesque, throwing all of our children under the bus. Totally irresponsible. https://t.co/np7BmP1AkB — Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) March 23, 2018

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., chairman of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, and Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky, joined Corker's call for Trump to veto the bill.

The @freedomcaucus would fully support you in this move, Mr. President. Let's pass a short term CR while you negotiate a better deal for the forgotten men and women of America. https://t.co/Dj05V8hevl — Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) March 23, 2018

I agree @realDonaldTrump should veto this sad excuse for legislation because it’s $1.3 trillion in spending that (almost) no one read. https://t.co/8aOSAOIESY — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 23, 2018

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, the assistant majority leader, offered his own criticism of Democrats but added that the omnibus spending bill contained many positives.

While Ds obstructed normal appropriations process, forcing an Omnibus, the benefits of Omnibus to national security, border security, opioid crisis, infrastructure, school safety and fixing gun background check system are important and will save lives. @realDonaldTrump — Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) March 23, 2018

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland offered these reminders to Trump.

A few reminders, Mr. President:

1. You ended #DACA & created this crisis.

2. You’ve rejected every bipartisan solution put forward to #ProtectDREAMers.

3. @SpeakerRyan & GOP leaders won’t allow a vote on DACA legislation. https://t.co/rwSjNSZQt6 — Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) March 23, 2018

Many Republicans object to Trump's call to end the filibuster, saying it protects the rights of their party when they have been in the Senate minority.