Meadows: House Freedom Caucus “Would Fully Support” Trump Veto

Reps. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., left, and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, members of the House Freedom Caucus, talk before a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing. (Photo: AP)

Representative Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC), said the group would fully support President Donald Trump’s decision to veto a $1.3 trillion spending bill pass by the U.S. Congress.

President Trump threatened to veto the measure, which is deeply unpopular with the base, citing a lack of immigration reforms.

The @freedomcaucus would fully support you in this move, Mr. President,” he tweeted to President Trump in response. “Let’s pass a short term CR while you negotiate a better deal for the forgotten men and women of America.”

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

If President Trump decided to veto the late-night spending bill, lawmakers would need to muster two-thirds of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The bill cleared the upper chamber 62 to 35 and the lower chamber by an even smaller 256 to 167 margin, both short of two-thirds.

Without the support of the HFC, the veto will stand.

“I think it’s great and hope he does it,” Representative Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a member of the House Freedom Caucus told reporters in response. He added that the claim the bill has adequate border funding is false.

“Why do you think Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are smiling ear to ear?”

The HFC sent a letter to President Trump on Wednesday urging him to veto the bill.

“Mr. President, we urge you to remember the countless forgotten men and women of America who placed their faith in you to change business as usual in Washington, D.C.,” the letter stated. “We urge you to join us and reject this omnibus.”