Now Mitch McConnell has joined the game and suddenly, things have changed.
The Senate majority leader, who until late last week had been virtually invisible during negotiations to re-open the government, announced Tuesday the Senate will vote Thursday on President Trump’s pitch to fund his border wall and end the partial shutdown.
And under the Senate rules, if it does not pass, there will be a separate vote on a Democratic-backed package to open up the government immediately — but not give Trump the money for his wall.
The votes will be the first time the Senate has voted on spending measures this year, though neither measure may clear the 60 votes necessary to limit debate and ultimately head for passage.
Republicans largely support giving Trump some money for a border wall and Democrats are opposed. But the flurry of activity serves to underscore the frustration lawmakers are feeling as the longest shutdown in U.S. history drags into Day 33 Wednesday.
McConnell, who has been a key and often decisive negotiator in prior government impasses, had insisted a fix had to be negotiated between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Trump.
But with polls suggesting many voters were blaming Trump for the shutdown that has resulted in federal workers working without paychecks, the president on Saturday offered a deal to resolve the impasse. Democrats rejected it before he spoke.
The Thursday votes, at least, will give everyone clues as to what senators are willing to buck their parties. Should a handful of Republicans back the Democratic plan, for instance, the vote would suggest a few more Republicans could side with Democrats in exchange for concessions.
The votes also give each party new talking points in a different way — if both proposals fail, each can argue the opposition is blocking a good faith effort.
McConnell embraced Trump’s Saturday bid to end the government shutdown as “bold.” The Kentucky Republican tried on the Senate floor Tuesday to paint the proposal as one that included elements Democrats have sought — including protection for young immigrants brought to the country illegally by their parents.
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Source: Lexington Herald-Leader
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