Washington (AP) – Gathered in an unusually quiet hall US CapitolRepublican leaders faced cameras on the second day and begged Democrats to resume government.
“We want to protect hardworking federal workers,” said the House Speaker. Mike Johnson He said Thursday morning before criticizing his counterpart. “The Democrats are those who have decided to inflict pain.”
It’s an impressive role reversal. I have been in budget position for years Republican Congressional Leaders’ Worried They had to wrestlech with conservatives on their side, ready to shut down the government to get the government’s demands. Democrats often stood as aspiring partners, lending important votes to keep their government open and protecting the programs they advocated.
“The parties have completely flip-floped to the other side of the same issue that has not been changed,” GOP Sen said. Land Pole. “Parliament has really entered an upside down world.”
Change is largely happening for the president Donald Trump Top-down control of the almost unified GOP has little effect on internal resistance to his budget priorities. The shift is unfolding as shutdowns threaten government services, force federal workers to fur, and give the Trump administration another opportunity Rebuild the federal government.
Meanwhile, Democrats have left scrambling for leverage in the first year of Trump’s second term, using fundraising fights to make the impact they can. For a party that has been cast for a long time as an adult in the room during the threat of shutdown, it’s a nasty attitude – What Republicans have not lost.
At a press conference Wednesday morning, Republicans looped through an old clip of a New York Democrat. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez “It’s not normal to shut down governments if we don’t get what we want.”
New GOP Consensus on Short-Term Expenses
Short-Term Government Funding Act – known as a Continuing Resolution at Capitol Hill – Once Hard-handed conservatives with rolls Those who viewed it as negligence in their obligation to set government funding levels. The fight became so bitter in 2023 that right-wing lawmakers Kevin McCarthy expelled As Speaker of the House, he relied on Democrats to pass a “clean” continuous solution.
But now, Kentucky’s Paul is the only Republican to join Senate Democrats oppose short-term funding measures backed by GOP leaders who generally maintain government funding at current levels until November 21, and when explaining his vote, Paul said he “continues Biden’s spending levels.”
But many of Paul’s previous fiscal Hawk allies changed their songs.
“We need to reopen the government. Let’s work together to fix the US issues and resolve them, but let’s reopen the government,” Vice President said. jd vance I said on Thursday.
When he was in the Senate, Vance never voted in favor of the final passage of the ongoing resolution. Instead, he argued that leverage should be used to obtain important policy victories.
“Why shouldn’t we force this government shutdown fight and get something out of good for the American people?” Vance said last September last year. Shawn Ryan Shaw Podcast.
This week, Vance said: “There is no disagreement on policies that serve as the basis for government shutdowns.”
Trump’s budget director, Russ VertAlso, now that he’s back in the White House, he’s taken a new tack. meanwhile Joe Biden President Vought led a conservative organisation called the Center for Renewing America, counselling Republicans in Congress and using the prospect of closure to gain policy concessions.
But this week he accused Democrats of “taking hostages” as Congress demanded they take over health policy.
In retaliation, Vought threatened Start a large number of layoffs Federal workers announced Wednesday that the White House is withholding funding for already approved projects Blue state.
Playing Tight Grip Integrates GOP on the Surface
The shutdown that began Wednesday shows no indication of a resolution. Republicans look increasingly comfortable in their position, reflecting Trump’s solid control over the party’s agenda.
In a prominent contrast to the internal division that once plagued the battle for GOP spending, the party leader showed unity on the Capitol Balcony on the first day of the shutdown.
“President, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, we’re all united about this.” John Tune While holding pages of ongoing resolutions of Republicans who have already passed the home at the rally. The bill would reopen the government if it passes the Senate.
Trump’s second term has seen far fewer Republicans than his first term. His Key Tax and Expense Proposalsalong with the appointment of his personnel, a break from his first term when GOP lawmakers frequently opposed his proposals and actions.
Still, the tension remains just below the surface. The Republican administration’s push for aggressive spending cuts and resistance to renewing certain healthcare subsidies has sparked quiet concerns within the party.
Signs of Republican anxiety
One of the biggest flashpoints is the imminent expiration date Affordable Care Methods Tax credit.
Some Republicans are sympathetic to the democratic demand for an extension of the tax credit. If they allow it to expire, there will be a significant price increase for many people who purchase medical ranges in the market. It will add economic stress to major Republican constituencies, including small business owners, contractors, farmers and ranchers.
Senator Mine CrownSouth Dakota Republicans raised a one-year extension of their healthcare subsidies during the Senator’s vote on Wednesday, attracting attention from Democrats and Republicans.
“There’s a misconception that it’s split into ACA credits, and that’s not the case. So now we’re trying to find a way to eliminate fraud and go back to pre-pandemic levels,” Round said.
There is also growing uncertainty over the way the Trump administration is leading the Republican Party through shutdowns. GOP lawmakers feel they have a political advantage in the fight, but some have begun to express doubts as the president and his budget director prepare to unlock massive layoffs and permanent program cuts.
Trump’s preference for casting shaming for Democrats – Many important to lead Congress from a spending impasse, are undermining the message of Republican leaders. When Johnson was asked Thursday, when he was asked what he thought Trump was posting a video of a doctor in the House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries At the Sombrero, he offered a bit of advice to his democratic counterparts.
“Men, ignore that,” Johnson said.
