RECORD DATES TO FIRST TRUMP TERM
The longest authorities shutdown in US historical past stretched over 35 days throughout December 2018 and January 2019 throughout Trump’s first time period in workplace, in a dispute over border safety.
“All they need to do is attempt to bully us. And so they’re not going to succeed,” Senate Democratic chief Chuck Schumer stated in a flooring speech a day after a White Home assembly with Trump and different congressional leaders that ended with the 2 events far aside.
Senate Majority Chief John Thune described the failed short-term spending invoice as a “nonpartisan” measure devoid of partisan coverage riders that Democrats have had no downside accepting in years previous.
“What’s modified is, President Trump is within the White Home. That is what that is about. That is politics. And there is no substantive purpose why there should be a authorities shutdown,” the South Dakota Republican informed reporters.
Trump’s Republicans maintain majorities in each chambers of Congress, however legislative guidelines require 60 of the 100 senators to agree on spending laws. That signifies that no less than seven Democrats are wanted to move a funding invoice.
DEMOCRATS FOCUS ON HEALTHCARE FUNDING
Democrats are below strain from their annoyed supporters to attain a uncommon victory forward of the 2026 midterm elections that can decide management of Congress for the ultimate two years of Trump’s time period.
The healthcare push has given them an opportunity to unite behind a difficulty that resonates with voters.
Together with the prolonged well being subsidies, Democrats have additionally sought to make sure that Trump won’t be able to undo these modifications if they’re signed into regulation. Trump has refused to spend billions of {dollars} accepted by Congress, prompting some Democrats to query why they need to vote for any spending laws in any respect.
College of Chicago professor Robert Pape stated the unusually polarised US political local weather within the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the rising energy on the acute wings of each events may make it tougher for celebration leaders to agree on a deal to reopen the federal government.
“The principles of politics are radically altering and we won’t know for certain the place all of that is going to finish,” stated College of Chicago political science professor Robert Pape, who research political violence.
“Both sides must backtrack towards tens of thousands and thousands of actually aggressive supporters, their very own constituents, which goes to be actually onerous for them to do,” he stated.
Earlier than the shutdown, Trump reached out to his personal supporters with a deepfake video exhibiting manipulated photos of Schumer showing to criticise Democrats, whereas prime Home Democrat Hakeem Jeffries stood subsequent to him, with a crudely drawn sombrero and mustache imposed over his face.
“It was infantile. It was petty,” Schumer informed reporters. “It is one thing {that a} 5-year-old would do, not a president of the US. Nevertheless it reveals how unserious they’re. They do not give a rattling concerning the hurt they may trigger with their shutdown.”
