The shutdown will take a backseat to the Democrats infighting.
The House and Senate returned to Washington Thursday but quickly gaveled out of session for the rest of the week, ensuring the partial government shutdown will extend into next week — and likely into the new year.
The White House said it’s trying to solve the shutdown but it can’t even find a negotiating partner among Democrats, with its latest offer, made over the weekend, not even earning a response from the minority party.
“The president and his team stayed in Washington over Christmas hoping to negotiate a deal that would stop the dangerous crisis on the border, protect American communities, and reopen the government. The Democrats decided to go home,” said press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Democrats have shown little interest in negotiations, figuring President Trump will shoulder the blame for a shutdown and the need only wait him out. They’re also eager to take control of the House, which they figure will give them more options in the new Congress that begins Jan. 3.
Some Democrats did attempt Thursday to try to force action on a stopgap spending bill that ignores Mr. Trump’s demand for additional wall money.
Rep. James McGovern, Massachusetts Democrat, tried to gain recognition on the House floor to pass a bill continuing the 2018 spending levels into early 2019. But Rep. Luke Messer, the Republican acting as speaker, quickly gaveled the House session closed, cutting off any chance for Democratic maneuvers.
The shutdown is nearly a week old, though so far it has been far less painful than past shutdowns.