The next step after Donald Trump’s trashing of the immigration proposal is a government shutdown. The Republicans, having been bit once by their doing that kind of thing, are, of course, trying to hang it on the Democrats. We’ll see how the media spin it if it happens, but my early readings are not good.
1/ It's truly awful for anyone who thinks we need to govern ourselves: Sens. Graham & Flake work closely with Democrats to get a compromise on #Dreamers that #Trump can live with. Dems give ground. Instead of negotiating, Trump blows up the talks, playing chicken with a shutdown.
— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) January 16, 2018
2/ Negotiating with #Trump is impossible because he changes his positions hour-to-hour. And negotiating with the GOP is impossible because hard-liners like Cotton & Purdue hate what Graham & Flake are trying to do.
Ryan & McConnell, the burden is on you. Are you leaders or not?— EJ Dionne (@EJDionne) January 16, 2018
We didn’t need to ask to know the answer to that one.
Absent action, the government will shut down in FOUR DAYS
Republicans control the House, the Senate and the White House.
Trump rejected a bipartisan compromise with a racist diatribe.
What's the plan?
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) January 16, 2018
serious inquiry – if Government shuts down, what happens with DACA enforcement? Can deportations continue without Government funding? Can signing new applicants happen? What is the effect on DACA Dreamers when USG is shut down?
— Jon B. (((Wolfsthal))) (@JBWolfsthal) January 16, 2018
Trump:
1. Backtracked on a DACA deal he made with Schumer and Pelosi last fall
2. Rejected a separate, bipartisan DACA deal presented to him this monthIf the government shuts down due to lack of a DACA deal, it is entirely Trump's fault.
— Brian Fallon (@brianefallon) January 15, 2018
Easy message for Democrats:
We will not fund the deportation of 800,000 young Americans who’ve been here since they were born
We will not fund a government that ends health insurance for 9 million kids
We will not fund a government that pays for more weapons by cutting education— Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) January 14, 2018
Except for the possible electoral blowback, Republicans probably see a government shutdown as a plus – it shows how badly the government works. Those of you who have to prepare for this have my full sympathy – I’ve gone through it, and it sucks.
Are you one of the unfortunates preparing? Or do you have something better going today?