Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen received praise from both sides of the aisle as someone that was able to work in a bipartisan manner to get things done.
After announcing that she would be retiring from her seat in Florida's 27th district, the race was on to find who would replace her. In the end, it would be Democrat Donna Shalala as the district looked to head in another political direction, and so far Shalala says that the transition has been "fun."
In a conversation with the freshman congresswoman, Shalala added, "it's been an easy transition for me. I know a lot of people. I know many of the committee chairs and people I've been very generous with in times."
As the Government shut down continues, lawmakers are being pressed on what needs to happen in order for it be up and running again. Congresswoman Shalala asserts that both sides need to find common ground.
She was asked if Speaker Pelosi was going to throw President Trump a bone for border security, but she rebutted that "he won't give us a plan. You gotta have a plan to negotiate from."
She further explained that Democrats "believe in strong borders. We believe in modern technology. But he's gotta give us a plan. He's gotta tell us what he wants the money for. He hasn't spent the money we gave him before."
Shalala then went on to criticize President Trump, saying that he's "behind in hiring border patrol people," and expressing that the Republican Party has to "demonstrate to the American taxpayers that they can spend the money we've given them and that they can hire. They haven't done either of those two things."
As negotiations continue between both sides of the aisle and freshman lawmakers situate themselves, Shalala shares that Cuban coffee will always help her through the day because she'll be having some "every day at 3:05".
