On Thursday’s broadcast of “CNN News Central,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) said that the shutdown is about “the whole Republican budget, which did massive tax cuts to the wealthy, added $170 billion to DHS so that ICE agents can violate people’s rights all across the country.” And “It’s not just about the ACA.”

Co-host Boris Sanchez asked, “What Democrats have actually proposed is to reestablish benefits to people who are lawfully present in the country, and that includes asylum seekers, refugees, DACA recipients, etc. I do wonder, Congressman, what you make of the broader argument that the previous administration expanded parole and asylum programs — they argue — to the point of abuse, and that granting federal benefits to those folks is not only inappropriate, but also not a reason to shut d

See Full Page