The impasse between the parties in Washington D.C. is not going to end any time soon. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Thursday blocked two House-passed funding bills that would have reopened the federal government.
Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), flanked by roughly two dozen of their Senate Democratic colleagues, tried to get consent to bring up a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through Feb. 8. They also brought a separate package that would fund the remaining agencies without current-year appropriations through Sept. 30.
But McConnell objected, arguing they would be “show votes” and saying that he and Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) made an “explicit commitment” to avoid such votes.
“The last thing we need to do right now is trade pointless — absolutely pointless — show votes back and forth across the aisle,” McConnell said.
Under Senate rules, any senator can try to force a vote or pass a bill, but any one senator can block them.
The attempt by Democrats to pass the House bills comes as the partial government shutdown is impacting roughly a quarter of the federal government. It is now in its 20th day and is poised to break a record this weekend as the longest shutdown ever.
Talks between congressional leadership and President Trump appear to have derailed. The president walked out of a White House meeting on Wednesday.
McConnell has pledged that he will not bring up a bill that Trump doesn’t support.
Do you support McConnell’s support of President Trump? What do you think will bring this impasse to an end? Which side will give in first? We look forward to seeing your comments at the end of this article.
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