'This isn't the Apprentice': GOPer lashes out at Trump bullying as shutdown looms

With congress returning from August recess, President Donald Trump's continued bullying of Republican senators may complicate efforts to avoid a September 30 government shutdown.

“You’re not going to bully United States senators, this isn’t The Apprentice,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) told the Associated Press “You can’t look at them and say you’re fired, you’re going to need their vote and you oughtta remember that they’re going to be at the table in every major deal you need for the next three years."

President Trump is further complicating matters with his demand for building his border wall.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump continually promised voters that Mexico would pay for his border wall.

With Mexico refusing to pay for his wall, Trump is demanding congress fund his wall.

In his controversial Phoenix campaign rally, Trump vowed to build his wall "if we have to close down our government."

Republican efforts to find enough border wall money to satisfy the White House are making it harder to pass a stopgap spending measure.

The House Appropriations Committee had suggested funding the border wall by taking $876 million from FEMA's disaster relief account, but Texas Republicans are now demanding that money go to Hurricane Harvey relief.

If anything, it's likely congress will have to pass additional funding for Harvey, further complicating Trump's efforts to build his border wall absent Mexico paying. This further complicates passing a stopgap budget, which in turn further complicates Republican hopes for tax reform.

"I just don’t think that’s a productive way to proceed,” Rep. Cole added.