Fox News‘ Chad Pergram reports that the threat of a government shutdown persists in light of Democrats’ refusal to back down on DACA:
“Lawmakers are trying to forge a DACA compromise, alter the nation’s immigration system, build a border wall, author an agreement on defense spending and avert a government shutdown—all by next Friday,” he reports.
Government funding is set to expire on January 19, unless lawmakers can pass a funding bill. But neither Republicans nor Democrats want to budge on their political priorities, which of course they want added to any must-pass legislation.
Republicans’ goals? Adequate defense spending, for many. Others demand increased border security and an end to chain migration.
And, of course, Democrats want DACA upheld, ensuring legal protection against deportation for roughly 800,000 people.
“Go too far on DACA and that upsets one set of lawmakers. Too far on immigration and that inflames another group. Not enough for defense, and other lawmakers go ballistic. Then the government shuts down.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) seems adamant in her refusal to budge on legal protections for DREAMers: “‘Do you think it is a vehicle if [Speaker Paul Ryan] gets half of his caucus? Do you think Democrats are going to vote for that bill? That is completely out of the question.'”
But over in the Senate, things appear less dramatic. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) both think that a shutdown is unlikely.
“‘These things come together quickly usually at the last possible moment,’ Rubio told The Hill. ‘I don’t believe there will be a government shutdown.'”
Should a shutdown come to pass, however, the only thing that’s clear is that everyone will be pointing fingers at everyone else.
