The New York Times is pretty much predicting a government shutdown. The header for its "Live Briefing" page is "Senate Democrats Appear Set to Block Bill to Avert Government Shutdown."
I was dismissive of the possibility earlier in the week based on exigencies of reelection for Democratic senators from ten states that Trump won in 2016. Tally those ten votes with 50 from the GOP and you have the 60 votes you need for cloture.
The problem is that there are Republican "No" votes. Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul have both announced their opposition, which means that Mitch McConnell needs 12 Democrat defectors, if not more.
The whip count shows at this point Schumer has the votes to block the spending bill, which means the government is shutting down at midnight.
I say good. It's time for the Democrats to show some backbone. Shutting down the government never hurt the Republicans come election day. Plus, November is a long way off. Given the amnesiac quality of our collective consciousness, hardly anyone is going to remember January ten months from now.
It's also good because it is going to put Trump's hard bargaining skills on full display. Trump is relishing this shutdown. He is certain he can roll his good friends Nancy and Chuck.
Regardless of who wins, these shutdowns are good because they reengage the citizenry in the business of government. The shutdown invites discussion, debate, involvement. Elected officials have to take the heat.
Look at thus standoff as a tune-up match for the midterms. Who comes out on top will tell us a lot about who has game going into November.
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