ICYMI: U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins Squawk Box on CNBC to Discuss Leading Role in Shutdown Negotiations

Senate Democrats are acting 'selfish and shortsighted'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Squawk Box on CNBC to discuss the longest-ever Democrat-led government shutdown-now spanning 37 days-and its adverse effects on millions of Americans. Senator Britt spoke on Democrats' continued obstruction that led to a government shutdown and her leadership in negotiating a pathway forward.

On working across the aisle and within the Republican party to negotiate a pathway forward to reopen the government:

"We are working with other members… both within our party and across the aisle … [Y]ou can't break a logjam without having conversation. And so, sitting down with Senator Schumer and talking about that, we really need to get back to doing the work of the American people … These three bills, Joe, are essential. They are SNAP benefits. They are WIC benefits. They are military VA, the Veterans Affairs. You've also got Capitol Police and others that would be in this package. If we're able to pass these bills, it takes those things off the table for the remainder of the fiscal year, actually funding them and doing the job that the people sent us here to do.

"So, all of that starts with [a] conversation. [I] have been really pleased to be able to work with people on the other side of the aisle that want to see a pathway forward, [and] have been in talks with the White House and leadership and working in between those to try to actually open this up for the American people and get back to doing our job."

On her role in negotiating a possible path to ending the shutdown:

"So, this three-bill package has passed the Senate, it passed at the end of July. That was actually the first time we passed these types of appropriations bills and since about 2018 on the Senate floor. So really showing that we meant business and wanted to get things done … Look, obviously there has been talk and Leader Thune has said both publicly and to members of the Democratic Party that he will absolutely give them a vote on ACA. That's nothing new … So, we've got a lot of work ahead of us, but this would give us a vehicle to be able to move that and to be able to extend that CR date. And look, Joe, it's important that our Democratic colleagues come to the table."

On this week's election results and the impact it may have on the shutdown:

"I have heard a lot of stuff in the last 24 hours about, well, maybe they'll wait another week because they won in the election. Joe, I think that is completely selfish and shortsighted. I think winning blue seats in blue states is nothing remarkable. But what is remarkable is the impact that this is having on average Americans, normal people, people who are having to go to food banks, Joe, people who are not getting paychecks. I can't imagine the arrogance that it would take to walk past Capitol policemen that aren't getting those paychecks, and then not wanting to find a pathway forward."

On supporting President Trump's agenda to serve the American people and his frustration with the shutdown:

"Obviously, [President Trump] has a robust agenda, and it is on us to work to get that through, and we are absolutely committed to doing that … we do have pathways that we can pursue that ultimately help us achieve his goal. But I think everyone is in conversation because what we're seeing is unprecedented obstruction by Democrats. We saw that on the nomination process, Joe … You saw them let no nominees go through this Congress by voice vote or unanimous consent for President Trump and at the very same time in the … calendar year for Obama in his first year, he had 292 that went through. So, we're seeing this unprecedented level of obstruction. And unfortunately … that causes this institution to break. So, all things are on the table and we're trying to find a pathway forward."

You can watch the full segment here.

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