Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that there will not be a government shutdown when funding runs out at the end of this coming week.
Host George Stephanopoulos began the exchange by mentioning that the government runs out of money on Friday.
"A growing number of Democrats saying they're not going to agree to a deal to keep the government open unless the children of undocumented immigrants are protected. Are we headed for a shutdown?" Stephanopoulos asked.
"That's a ridiculous position," McConnell replied. "There is no crisis."
McConnell said that President Donald Trump gave Congress until March to address what to do about the undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as young children. He argued that while it is a difficult issue to resolve, there is no emergency.
"I don't think the Democrats would be very smart to say they want to shut down the government over a non-emergency we can address anytime between now and March. That's a very untenable position," McConnell said.
He proceeded to list out duties the Senate needs to fulfill before the year is over, including funding the military and supplementing aid to the areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
"Republicans have the majority in the House and the Senate. Can you keep the government open on your own?" Stephanopoulos asked.
"Look, there's not going to be a shutdown," McConnell insisted. "It's not going to happen."