Spending bill win claimed by both sides

May 03--President Trump tried to portray his White House as the true winner of the spending bill debate despite Democrats' declaring victory, even as Republicans' Obamacare replacement plan barely clung to life yesterday.

"This is what winning looks like," said Trump from the Rose Garden, rattling off the increased military and border security funding and other highlights of the spending bill he advocated for.

But hours earlier, he decried rules in the Senate that make it more difficult to pass legislation and appeared to call for a government shutdown when lawmakers negotiate a new budget deal in the fall.

"The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We...either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good 'shutdown' in September to fix mess!" Trump tweeted.

Trump seemed to be on a desperate public relations blitz yesterday to combat Democrats' celebrating what they called major concessions from the White House on the bill.

He dispatched budget director Mick Mulvaney to the White House press briefing yesterday to highlight achievements and try to trip up the Democrats on their victory lap.

"They're walking around trying to make it seem like they pulled a fast one over on the president, and I just won't stand for it," said Mulvaney.

Republicans were scrambling yesterday to put together enough votes to pass Obamacare replacement legislation. A major blow came when Republican moderate Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan announced he'd vote against it out of concern it doesn't do enough to cover patients with pre-existing conditions.

Other moderate GOPers have similar hangups, and the bill lacked the 216 backers needed to pass the House.

Meanwhile, Trump spoke on the phone yesterday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two discussed "safe, or de-escalation, zones" in Syria, according to the White House. They may also hold a personal meeting -- their first ever -- at some point during the G20 Summit in Germany this July.

Herald wire services contributed to this report.

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