Government Shutdown Looms As GOP Factions Threaten To Break Rank

WASHINGTON, DC — By the end of Friday, the federal government will run out of money and will begin curtailing many of its programs — unless the lawmakers and President Trump come to an agreement t0 extend its funding. It's the fourth time in Trump's short presidency that Congress has faced the possibility of a government shutdown, because lawmakers have only agreed to short-term spending bills so far.

It's not mere partisan wrangling that threatens to dry up the government's funds: Fractures within the Republican coalition could scuttle an agreement.

Hardliners within the party with deeply held positions on the deficit and defense spending have made some noise about opposing any deal that doesn't reflect their priorities. Meanwhile, the president and GOP leadership may struggle to bring the requisite Democrats on board for any shutdown-avoiding deal after attempts to reach agreement on an immigration deal ended up only inspiring outrage.

Trump and the Republicans leadership have postured to place any blame for a potential shutdown squarely on the Democrats' shoulders.

“It’s baffling to me that Democrats would be willing to block funding for our military because of unrelated issues,” House Speaker Paul Ryan told the press at a new conference Wednesday.

He was echoing similar claims made by the president on Tuesday. Trump had tweeted: "The Democrats want to shut down the Government over Amnesty for all and Border Security. The biggest loser will be our rapidly rebuilding Military, at a time we need it more than ever. We need a merit based system of immigration, and we need it now! No more dangerous Lottery."

But with control of both the House, the Senate and the White House, Republicans may struggle to avoid the public's blame if a shutdown occurs.

Trump's comments at an Oval Office meeting last week may have made the situation worse. In a bipartisan discussion on immigration policy, the president referred to African nations derisively as "s---holes" according to multiple reports, a charge which the White House did not initially deny. These comments drew bipartisan and international criticism and likely weakened the possibility that Democrats would compromise with Republicans on immigration. Trump dismissed the bipartisan plan, which contained protections for undocumented immigrants who had arrived as children as well as some funding for border protections.

With an immigration deal undermined, Republican leadership is aiming for a "continuing resolution" — a short-term deal to fund the government at current levels while sidestepping broader and more controversial questions

They would, in other words, kick the can down the road and surely face the same issues again in a few months.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters Wednesday that Trump's lack of clarity was a major roadblock to getting a deal.

"I'm looking for something that President Trump supports. And he's not yet indicated what measure he's willing to sign," McConnell said, according to CNBC. "As soon as we figure out what he is for, then I would be convinced that we were not just spinning our wheels going to this issue on the floor but actually dealing with a bill that has a chance to become law and therefore solve the problem."

Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said the White House supports a continuing resolution to keep the government open, though it would prefer a two-year agreement on the budget. Whether a continuing resolution can pass remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham, on of the Republican lawmakers who supported the bipartisan immigration deal the president rejected, told a reporter Wednesday that he did not support a continuing resolution.

See also: What Happens In A Government Shutdown? 7 Things To Know

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