Lawless: Shutdown Will End When Enough GOP Lawmakers Can’t Back It Anymore

Lawless: Shutdown Will End When Enough GOP Lawmakers Can’t Back It Anymore

University of Virginia Professor of Political Science Jennifer Lawless joined GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle on GoLocal LIVE to discuss President Donald Trump’s address from the Oval Office on immigration and border security, and the prospects of the government shutdown -- over Trump’s request for $5.7 billion in funding for a wall -- will end anytime soon. 

WATCH INTERVIEW ABOVE

“Usually when Presidents take to the Oval Office and make a speech like that it’s because there is an actual imminent national emergency or a severe threat. To make an explicitly political plea for a policy that’s not very popular right now either in Congress — or with the American people — is probably using that position in a way that most people think is inappropriate,” said Lawless. 

“The shutdown is going to end when enough Republicans make it clear they can’t back this anymore,” said Lawless. “And it’s not only the Republicans that are ultimately going to be running for re-election in 2020 it’s also a bunch of Republicans in the Senate, in particular, those who in the past who have been willing to move towards some more meaningful immigration reform.”

SEE TRUMP'S ADDRESS TO THE COUNTRY HERE