Washington is all in a flurry this morning as it prepares for a shutdown.
The last time we saw a government shutdown like this was in 2013, when Republicans refused to pass a spending measure that didn’t defunded Obamacare. The GOP eventually recanted on the gambit, funding the government in full after a prolonged shuttering.
As of Friday morning, it looks increasingly likely that the federal government will shut down by the end of the day. The point of contention: DACA. Democrats are taking a hard line on President Trump’s ending of Obama’s “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” memorandum that essentially gave legal status to minors brought to the U.S. illegally as minors.
Congress must pass a new spending bill by the end of the day in order to keep the government open. Democrats are refusing to budge on any deal that doesn’t include widespread protection for DACA-affected individuals. We’ve reached an impasse. And it looks like Democrats are perfectly willing to let the government shut down and to deprive our troops of pay all for the sake of legalizing illegal immigrants.
The House of Representatives has already passed a spending measure that contains no new DACA protections. The bill also contains a long-term spending provision for CHIP, a child health care initiative – one of the Democrats’ key bargaining chips in negotiations.
Senate Democrats still find this spending bill unacceptable. And they’re vowing to oppose it:
BREAKING NEWS: Senate Democrats say they have votes to block government funding bill Read more: https://t.co/21Ud32zfq8 pic.twitter.com/8Vk0FxI1Sf
— POLITICO (@politico) January 18, 2018
Jake Sherman, a highly-connected reporter for Politico, just confirmed that the House will be going home today, making it more unlikely that a last-minute deal will be reached over the weekend.
BREAKING: HOUSE IS GOING HOME TODAY https://t.co/lDqNTeweNQ
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
In another series of tweets, Sherman describes the stakes of the debate, and why Democrats have basically made it impossible for themselves to support any kind of spending deal that doesn’t include full DACA protections.
A few quick observations about the situation our government finds itself in. This isn’t as simple as the president getting in the room and cutting a deal. That’s west wing tv stuff, at the moment. Both sides are dug in and think they’re right
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
PLUS — A DACA deal right now would *blow up* the House, where 20-something ppl could over throw the speaker.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
At this moment, this is not a simple knot to untie. Rs are telling us that they won’t do a daca deal or budget deal until government reopens. And they’re backed up by Freedom Caucus, which controls 20-30 votes in the House.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
The people I’ve spoken to this AM do not see an end, do not have a way out. They see a prolonged shut down. Washington can act quickly so that can change. But this really is not going to be easy — most likely. So buckle up
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
You also have a situation in which the president’s closest allies in congress — the freedom caucus — disagree with him on core issues when it comes to immigration and spending.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2018
Bottom line: Get ready for a shut down!
Share this breaking news with others now! The government will likely shut down tonight!
