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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent made a Sunday appearance on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and the implications of Democrats holding the country hostage. Bessent kicked off the interview explaining the impact that the shutdown is having on the economic growth, which he said “could be cut by as much as half if the shutdown continues,” making it clear that the Democrats’ mission is to sabotage Trump’s record going into the midterm. He further commented the “human cost” and expectations that goliday air travel, as well as cargo transport and supply chain, will face slowdowns. Stephanopoulos then asked about the President’s calls for Republicans to terminate the filibuster and whether that is the best way to end the shut down, but Bessent flipped the script calling out Stephanopoulos then explaining that “five Democrats can cross the aisle and reopen the government.” “You were involved in a lot of these in the ’90s,” Bessent told the former Senior Advisor to then-President Bill Clinton, then pointing to his previous statements accusing the GOP of “terrorism” and creating a “hostage crisis” during a government shutdown in 1995. Stephanopoulos also amplified this rhetoric in his memoir, “All Too Human.” When Bessent referenced his past comments, Stephanopoulos lost it and denied the claim while he tried to change the subject, but Bessent brought the receipts. “I’ve got all your quotes here, George,” he said. “I’m sure you do. But let’s talk about the situation right now,” Stephanopoulos responded before Bessent obliterated him, stating, “I went back and read your book. So, you got one purchase on Amazon this week. And that’s very much what you said.” WATCH: Stephanopoulos: The president continues to post about ending the filibuster. Is that — is that the best way to end the shutdown right now? Is that what the administration’s position is? Bessent: No, George, the best — the best way to do it — and look, you were involved in a lot of these in the ’90s. And, you know, you basically called the Republicans terrorists and, you know, you said that it is not the responsible party that keeps the government closed. And so, what we need is five brave, moderate Democratic senators to cross the aisle because right now it is 52 to three, 52 to three, five Democrats can cross the aisle and reopen the government. That’s the best way to do it, George. Stephanopoulos: I can disagree with you about the history there, but we don’t need history lesson right now. Bessent: No, George Stephanopoulos: Let’s talk — let’s talk about — let’s talk about Bessent: No, no, no. George, George, George Stephanopoulos: Let’s talk — sir, let’s talk about what’s happening right now. I asked you a question Bessent: If you want, I’ve got all your quotes here. I’ve got all your quotes here, George. Stephanopoulos: I’m sure you do. But let’s talk about the situation right now. Bessent: I went back and read your book. So, you got one — one purchase on Amazon this week. And that’s very much what you said. In another clip, Bessent lays out the position of the Trump Administration: “We are not going to negotiate with the Democrats until they reopen the government. It’s very simple. Repoen the government, then we can have a discussion” As The Gateway Pundit reported, the Senate is expected to vote today on a new spending measure to finally reopen the government on the 40th day of the longest shutdown in history. MORE:
