Senate Republicans say they want a sign directly from President TrumpDonald John TrumpAmash responds to ‘Send her back’ chants at Trump rally: ‘This is how history’s worst episodes begin’ McConnell: Trump ‘on to something’ with attacks on Dem congresswomen Trump blasts ‘corrupt’ Puerto Rico’s leaders amid political crisis MORE that he will support any spending and debt ceiling deal.

The push for the president to publicly say he would sign an agreement comes as Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiSally Yates: Moral fiber of US being ‘shredded by unapologetic racism’ Al Green calls for additional security for House members after Trump rally #IStandWithPresTrump trends in response to #IStandWithIlhan MORE (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinMnuchin says White House, Pelosi have deal on top-line budget numbers The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump seizes House impeachment vote to rally GOP Administration pushes back on quick budget deal: ‘We have a way to go’ MORE are on the cusp of a two-year budget deal that would also increase the debt ceiling into 2021. 

 

“I think we need the president to indicate he’ll support it,” said Sen. John CornynJohn CornynDemocratic Houston councilwoman announces Senate bid Trump angry more Republicans haven’t defended his tweets: report White House, Congress inch toward debt, budget deal MORE (R-Texas), an adviser to Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMcConnell: Trump ‘on to something’ with attacks on Dem congresswomen Dems open to killing filibuster in next Congress Senate passes bill making hacking voting systems a federal crime MORE (R-Ky.), asked if assurances from Mnuchin would be enough. 

 

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Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyAdministration pushes back on quick budget deal: ‘We have a way to go’ The Hill’s 12:30 Report: Dem leaders face tough decision on impeachment resolution The Hill’s Morning Report – A raucous debate on race ends with Trump admonishment MORE (R-Ala.) added that he and McConnell would also like to see Trump say he supports the budget deal before it comes up for a vote. 

 

“Oh absolutely,” Shelby said, asked if he needs a public assurance from Trump. “I think the leader would want that too.” 

 

The clamor for Trump to publicly weigh in comes after they were caught flat-footed in December when the president rejected a Senate-passed continuing resolution to avoid a partial government shutdown. 

 

Senate Republicans say they received assurances from Vice President Pence that Trump would back the short-term measure and were in visible disbelief when they emerged from a closed-door lunch to find out he was rejecting their strategy. 

 

This time Mnuchin has taken the lead on negotiations with congressional Democrats, while keeping GOP leadership and other White House staffers in the loop. 

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Shelby said he believed Pelosi and Mnuchin have an “agreement in principle” but still needed to “seal the deal.” Asked what was the distinction between the two, Shelby indicated they still needed Trump to back it. 

 

“We’ve got to get the president on board,” Shelby said. 

 

Trump and conservatives have previously rattled nerves on Capitol Hill by attacking budget and government funding bills. Conservatives fumed over a 2018 budget deal and Trump railed against a March 2018 continuing resolution, including floating that he could veto it, only to sign in. 

 

Sen. John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneTrump angry more Republicans haven’t defended his tweets: report White House abruptly cancels Trump meeting with GOP leaders McConnell says Trump is not a racist, but calls for better rhetoric MORE (S.D.), the No. 2 Senate Republican, said he believes Republicans will support the bill if Trump backs it. Asked if he wants to a see a public assurance about Trump’s support on a budget deal, Thune said, “yes.” 

 

“I think if the president supports it that you know most Republicans … will be on board with it — maybe not everybody in the Freedom Caucus,” he added. 

 

Not every Republican said they needed to hear from Trump. Sen. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntSenate passes bill making hacking voting systems a federal crime GOP put on the back foot by Trump’s race storm Top Democrat demands answers on election equipment vulnerabilities MORE (Mo.), a member of GOP leadership, said he thought Mnuchin was “a good enough signal” that the president would support a deal. 

“I think Mnuchin is doing a great job negotiating for the president, we believe that’s what happening,” he said. 

There are signs of concern that conservatives within the administration could try to sink a potential budget deal. 

As Mnuchin and Pelosi described themselves of being close to an agreement, an anonymous administration official accused the Speaker of engaging in “happy talk.” 

 

Senate Minority Leader Charles SchumerCharles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerTop Democrats demand security assessment of Trump properties Lawmakers pay tribute to late Justice Stevens Trump administration denies temporary immigrant status to Venezuelans in US MORE (D-N.Y.) warned on Thursday afternoon that he has concerns acting White House chief of staff Mick MulvaneyJohn (Mick) Michael MulvaneyTrump’s new labor chief alarms Democrats, unions The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by JUUL Labs – Trump attack on progressive Dems draws sharp rebuke Acosta out as Trump Labor secretary MORE could try to sink an agreement. 

 

“You always worry because Mulvaney is such a hard liner on these issues, that you always worry. But we’ll see. Let’s hope. Let’s hope that cooler heads prevail and we come to an agreement soon,” Schumer said. 

 

Shelby repeatedly demurred when pressed directly about if he had concerns Mulvaney or the Office of Management and Budget were trying to undercut Mnuchin. 

 

But asked if thought Trump should listen to the Treasury secretary or his acting chief of staff, Shelby sided with Mnuchin, who he called a “voice of reason” within the negotiations. 

 

“I think he should listen to the secretary,” Shelby said. “I think the secretary has been forthcoming … and is trying to avoid a catastrophe on the debt limit.”