Hypocrites all.
The solution and compromise to this problem is clear.
Build a Virtual Wall.
If both the Republicans and the Democrats have respect for The Rule of Law then we need an instant 99.9% effective verification system that someone is legal to work in the USA.
If people cannot work, they will not come.
As a former head of technology I know it can be done. For 2.5 Billion it can be done and gold plated at that.
If we build a virtual wall to reinforce The Rule of Law in that you should not be rewarded with work in a country that works because of The Rule of Law by breaking the law in the first place.
A system with instant checks that is mandatory for ANY kind of employment even mowing of lawn and backed up by business confiscation laws for violation and jail time for employers would stop almost all immigration that was not lawful.
Of course the left and the right like all the benefits of the illegal workers from the fruit on their table to the dishwasher in their favorite restaurant. If they were not here, people would pay a lot more and heaven forbid that they do that.
The solution is simple, the political creativity and will is what is lacking.
Hypocrites all.
My dream would be that Mitch McConnell would be held accountable for his part in prolonging this government shutdown in support of our crime boss in chief.
Mitch McConnell, the arrogant conscienceless opportunist who has spent his whole career betraying the country for personal gain.
That will prove that is real hope for America.
2
All of this because candidate Trump made a promise to "the base" that he cannot keep, that a majority of citizens voted against, and he was too inept to get when the GOP controlled the government. So now he shuts down the government of this country and punishes federal workers out of desperation. And the GOP goes along. 34 days of a closed government because of one man's ineptitude.
1
Government employees can force resolution of this manufactured crisis by simply striking en masse. Bring the air grid to a halt. Disrupt millions of air travelers. The funding issue will be resolved the next day.
This is like the stupidity surrounding our military deployments in the ME. The pain is only felt by some of us, not all of us, so there is insufficient groundswell to force a withdrawal, and soldiers continue to die needlessly for a failed strategy. If a draft was in place, there would have been no invasions.
1
It's time to make shutdowns illegal. Our government is too important and necessary to daily life to allow it to stop functioning for any amount of time. A law is needed to continue funding at current levels until a final budget is reached. I wonder if any of these politicians have the sense of responsibility to the American People to stop this idiocy.
1
The fact that Trump did not push for the wall funding when he had majorities in both houses belies his concern about any wall. The fact is, he could not fight the Repubs when they said they would not vote money for a wall. But once the Dems took charge of the House, then Trump had an enemy he can fight, therefore the wall all iof a sudden becomes an existential threat to America, at least in TrumpWorld.
Time to make shutdowns illegal so these idiots can't play with people lives over stupid politics.
1
The closure of the Federal government is the most cynical act perpetrated by a president since the heedless rush to war in Iraq. At least in the latter case, some attempt was made to find evidence-- so-called "weapons of mass destruction"-- that would persuade the American people that an "emergency" existed. In this case, however, there simply is no such emergency, or else wall funding would have been obtained when both Houses were held by Republicans.
Even more cynical, in my view, is the behavior of Republicans who once again show a true lack of principled leadership. Their view has come to more closely resemble the president's? Why? Based on what? The answer is that the wall has become a political icon that they are unwilling to abandon, even at the expense of 800,000 Federal workers. They will not relent on the wall for the sole reason that it is something Democrats (rightly) oppose.
I am afraid the only solution to this crisis is to uncouple the shutdown from the issue of wall funding-- a measure proposed by Democrats and previously acceptable to both sides. Democrats, for their part, will not and should not ever accept anything that can, by any stretch of the imagination, be called a "wall".
1
As painful as this is - and truly, it is disgraceful and outrageous to see 800,000 hardworking Americans and many more contractors who serve us all missing their paychecks - Democrats must continue to stand firm.
Trump and the GOP have become hostage takers: give us what we want or we'll do something that hurts our entire country. Only their lack of empathy for actual human beings makes such a strategy possible.
If you let that tactic succeed, it will be used over and over again. It cannot be allowed to succeed.
1
The Senate had a deal that passed 87-12 on December 19th. (I think that's the date.) Just pass the same bill. That opens the government and allows negotiations on border security to move forward on a separate timeline. This is really a very simple problem to solve.
Here sre are a few basic ideas, that I believe have been lost in this debate:
1. Our government is designed for deliberation - not hostage taking. Trump does not want to negotiate. He is holding the entire US for ransom to get what he wants. That is NOT a negotiation. He is asking for "negotiation" at the point of a gun.
2. Elections have consequences - The country turned the house back to the democrats. Trump should deal with it, stop holding the US hostage, and negotiate in good faith. he had two years to fund his wall with a Republican congress. He could not pull it off by negotiation because he is a terrible negotiator.
3. If Trump gets his way now, he will do this over and over again - We already know that Trump cannot or won't negotiate because that would actually require a reasoned discussion - with true, provable facts. He has no interest in facts.
4. The Senate needs to pass a bill to open the government now, even if Trump vetoes the law - The House and the Senate need to do their job. Open the government. Isolate Trump and let him veto the opening of the government.
Show Trump that we are not his hostages.
He is supposed to be president for all Americans - not just himself.
14
It seems to me that the media are applauding Republicans for sending out feelers as to how much ransom the Democrats want to pay for the hostages taken by Trump. In my mind, you don't call the extortionist reasonable because he's dickering on the amount he demands.
The only reasonable action is to stop hostage taking. It's preferable if the extortionist stops on his own, but the second best option is for other people to stop him.
10
Trump promised payment to his red hats in the form of a border wall and now payment is due or he will lose his base, a base that is now a minority. If he is unable to make that payment he will default on that promise and become politically bankrupt.
Despots do find an enemy that can be used to energize their target audience of supporters. Trump used the Latinos, the border wall, and a fake invasion to energize and rally his supporters. The GOP "lawmakers" in both chambers went along and enabled Trump and provided ammunition to use against the brown hoards that Trump stated carry disease along with illegal drugs.
Trump will never surrender. Trump will never negotiate as it would make him appear weak (while ignoring his previous statements that presidents who allow shutdowns are weak).
If Congress chooses to reopen the government without giving in to a toddler the GOP members in the Senate need to be prepared to override a veto-and work for the country, not Trump, as they appear to do at present.
5
I have to say my respect for Ms. Pelosi has grown immensely. She has called trump’s medieval wall an immorality, which it is. There should be zero funding for the wall. Any money the dems agree to should be earmarked and mandatory for specific border security equipment and tactics, and explicitly exclude a wall. And the amount should not be anywhere close to 5 billion, or trump will spin in into how he won. He’s a very sick man.
If dems give in now they’ve once again lost me.
McConnell should stop playing his games with people’s lives and push his party to muster the votes to overturn a trump veto of the bill they already had passed nearly unanimously.
Repubs have not funded trump’s medieval wall for two years when they completely controlled all branches of government, so they are perpetuating a ruse for this stupid republican base we hear about ad nauseum.
Enough! Our fellow citizens are suffering while the rich crooks in the Cabinet ridicule them and continue to get away with robbing the nation blind. God forbid something happens with air safety, not to mention all the FBI work that isn’t getting done. More crooks will go unprosecuted. Maybe that’s trump’s plan all along.
6
It's rather shocking to see McConnell sacrifice his career and legacy to be remembered as the stooge who stood by while the country crumbled. And, for what? Blind allegiance to the despot who employs his wife? History will not be kind. Kentuckians, you can - and must - do better for the sake of the nation.
8
Perhaps, we could resolve this crisis by using Venezuela as an exemplar, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declaring herself president, swearing herself in as the interim President of the United States, ousting the illegitimate usurper Trump, until conditions in America permit free and fair elections.
9
The argument that, as with terrorists, you don’t negotiate with a president holding government hostage in an attempt to blackmail Congress into giving him what he wants, because then, government shutdowns would become the go-to means to leverage demands by the executive branch, even after Trump is gone, is only half the story.
The most important reason for not negotiating until after Trump ends the shutdown is because Trump is challenging the Constitution, the power of the House to provide funding for purposes it, by majority vote, through the legislative process, makes into law, as the Constitution “requires” for all spending authorizations—not blackmail and hostage-taking. Further, the House, being most representative of the “Will of the People,” is the only body empowered to raise and direct the use of funds; not the Senate, the courts, and certainly NOT the president.
Bottom line? To cave to Trump’s blackmail and hostage-taking would weaken American democracy by diluting the separation of powers the Constitution creates between the separate-but-equal branches as both a barrier to the abuse of power and as a protection for freedom. Trump seeks to abscond with the power of the House and turn it to his own ends.
If Democrats stand their ground until the shutdown is ended, the vile practice of holding government hostage to the passage of funding bills might come to an end, finally being seen as too damaging and costly, and that would be a victory for democracy and America.
6
If the multi-millionaire Senator Ross believes that it would be easy to go to a bank and get a loan, why doesn't he co-sign for them which would probably give credence to their ability to repay or he would. After all, we taxpayers are STILL paying his salary and for his perks,, so why should he be hesitant to be a good samaritan and show the "little people" that Republicans really, really care for them.
5
The solution to this mess is really very simple: more TSA agents need to call out sick. We're at the tipping point, and with enough agents calling out sick, airports will start to shut down. Airports shut down, air traffic shuts down, crippling the country. I'm pretty sure one or two days of hampered air travel and you'll see a lot more action in DC. Problem solved.
3
I know it's perverse, but if McConnell wants to get a deal, he should forget about twisting himself around Trump's mercurial wants and neuroses. Instead go to Fox, Hannity, to Coulter, Limbaugh, Ingraham and get them to promise not to roast Trump. If Trump has that kind of guarantee, he'll sign anything. An insult to our system of government? Absolutely. But at least this one stands a good chance of working and getting our people back on the job.
4
The difficult challenge now is to make sure Schumer doesn't give away the store. Based on history, that's the most likely outcome.
I think it's pretty clear that Mitch McConnell should put forth a clean bill to reopen and fund the government until the end of year and get past this dysfunction; it should be voted on by a large enough majority to override any veto by Trump.
It is the only reasonable way to continue negotiations on a bipartisan legislation on a border security package with protection for asylum seekers.
It should never be acceptable by any party, Republican or Democrat to allow any President to simply shut down the Federal Government to get his way whether it is a foolish campaign slogan or legislation; it is irresponsible by this or any President of any party, to hold the country hostage to satisfy his whim.
4
The histrionics on both sides must stop. Calling the wall "immoral" and talking about asking Daddy for money is unprofessional. Nancy Pelosi does not care about doing her job, which is negotiation. She is simply involved in political theater.
3
Newly indicted Roger Stone is the true architect of the "wall" - a mnemonic device to keep a dotty presidential candidate focused on immigration and thus keep the slathering base in the trump camp. No study went into this idea, no plans. Just a campaign slogan to exploit xenophobia.
Journalists should keep the above in mind, and refuse to succumb to the temptation to conflate campaign nonsense with real, multi-faceted issues like border security and immigration. We can also do our part to brand this "wall - something that the brander in chief should be able to relate to.
In honor of both Roger Stone and the GOP shutdown, I propose a wall, to be referred to hereafter as the Stone wall. The beauty of it is that in keeping with its original purpose, no actual stone - or concrete or steel - will be needed for this wall. Purely symbolic and representative of a political party which stands in the way of American progress: the ultimate "stone wall".
2
My guess is that if the lawmakers (so to speak) had their pay stopped, they would quickly figure out how to get the Government started again. No . . . , wait, they are all millionaires (or more) so they don't need the money. Oh, well . . .
1
Both parties, all leaders, everybody in the room knew that both bills were going to fail. The NYT agreed. Everyone in the room knows how to count votes.
This was a necessary step to set the stage for what's being characterized here as a "frenzied effort," and to send a signal
They're doing their job. It makes me laugh, but Sen. Cardinn's assertion that “What we have put on the table is our reputation as legislators," is true. These are professional politicians, and their, and our, backs are to the wall (sorry).
Please, NYT, stop reporting the Kabuki theater event as though it's reality. You are professionals too, and we've all seen this before.
2
“A pair of measures to reopen the government — one with President Trump’s border wall, the other without it — failed in the Senate on Thursday, sending lawmakers from both parties into frenzied efforts to forge a compromise that could end the nearly six-week partial shutdown”
Day one of the Trump shutdown should have sent these law makers into frenzy, especially the GOP. After all, it was their fabulous negotiator Trump who claimed ownership and responsibility for it.
3
Why sn't the press concentrating LOUDLY on why Trump was willing to sign the deal in December until he listened to Television telling him not to?
I never hear one reported ask this of him is the sham press conferences....
It is not so important here any longer that he didn't sign off on what he promised to do in December, it's that we now have government by FOX news.
THAT is the real tragedy. No matter what he says going forward, it should be remembered that when FOX and Limbaugh come on air in the afternoons, if THEY say Trump shouldn't do something he said hours before that he would, he will back out.
I didn't vote for FOX stars and WIndbag to be in the White House.
Trump is so obvious about this too. Scarier by far than the shutdown to me.......
3
I'm still amazed that a wall that was supposed to be paid for by Mexico has resulted in the longest government shutdown, nearly a million people going without paychecks for a month, and has put much of the federal infrastructure at risk for massive failure. Making America Great Again indeed.
2
Mr. McConnell, you say this shouldn't have happened in the first place, and you're right. Unfortunately, this is what you get when you have a weak president who can be goaded into unwise decision by the likes of Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh. If he's weak, you've got to show strength, but you're failing as epically as he is.
4
Up and until they put a bill on the Presidents desk for him to sign or veto, the ball is in Congress's court and it is their responsibility. And remember there were three votes already to pay some of the people affected by the shutdown and Democrats axed them all. Also remember Trump has tried to negotiate and the Democrats refuse; He is in the WH waiting while most of the Democrats went home for a long weekend at taxpayers expense.
A preview of the upcoming Famous Last Words Hall of Fame. "We can end this shutdown." "The housing market will never collapse." "Donald Trump is turning Presidential."
1
The question I can't stop asking myself is why, when Trump had the majority of both houses of Congress for two years, he didn't ask for his wall funding then? Why did he wait until the House was in Democratic hands and he knew he'd face a fight? Why didn't he go to the Republican Congress the very first day he took office and request the money for his wall? If the wall is such an important campaign promise that he is willing to hold the entire government hostage to get it, why did he wait two years? There is some angle to this shutdown that I am just not seeing. Trump's behavior has always been erratic, but this borders on insanity. People and drugs have been coming across the border for years. Nothing new has happened now to turn that into a "crisis." If there is a crisis, it existed in 2017 & 2018, but he did nothing. Why wait until his support weakens to request funding for his most important issue?
57
@Ms. Pea we know why. his support in his party is waning and what better way to rally his base than make our federal government look dysfunctional. But i know that was a rhetorical question.
2
@Ms. Pea The simple answer to your question is that 2 years ago Trump was not focused on nor concerned about the 2020 election. The wall has absolutely nothing to do with immigration policy or border security; it has everything to do with his realization that, given his declining numbers, in order to secure his position for re-election in 2020 he must throw his base the red meat they crave. His most prominent campaign promise in 2016 was that he would build a wall, and Mexico would pay for it. He did not believe the Dems would take over the House in 2018 and so he did not believe he needed to get the wall funded before dismantling Obamacare or passing the tax cuts. Now he finds himself in the precarious position of having failed to produce on his signature promise --- the wall. If he agrees to anything that does not include the wall, he's done.
3
@Ms. Pea
A minority of Americans feel the wall is the most effective way to police the border. If Trump had taken his stand when the Republicans were in charge of both houses, it still wouldn't have passed, and then he would not have had a scapegoat to blame for not fulfilling his campaign promise. Furthermore, last January he was offered full funding for his wall in exchange for a path to citizenship for the Dreamers, but he did not want to concede anything.
1
Kudos to Senator Bennett of Colorado for finding his spine and speaking out forcefully on OUR Senate floor yesterday against Ted Cruz and others allowing the deadlock in OUR U.S. Senate.
Other senators need to find their spines and throw Traitor Mtich McConnell OUT as supposed majority leader. He's working for The Con Don and their International Mafia brethren - not OUR United States of America.
17
Why don't both sides agree to do this:
Allocate 1 (one) billion dollars to give Trump a chance to make 1/5th of the wall he thinks will prove itself so great and wonderful at stopping all the problems he says it can, pick a place on the border that will demonstrate just exactly what it will look like, be composed of, and all that. Then, find a way to test its effectiveness for the distance it spans. If it can't work in one place, don't expect it to work anywhere else it is placed, much less everwhere. Let's see who can and will cut through it, tunnel under it, or fly over it. Special guards can be placed at either end to prevent workarounds
In other words, give Trump a chance to prove his wall idea can work. If it does, give him the rest of the money. If it doesn't, hope he has the integrity to admit it doesn't, and use more money to construct a barrier that really works.
How about simply remove the gun from my reps head and myself. There should be no need to compromise. The house who represents a majority of Americans has spoken. I’m sick of the minority forcing me down their terrible path when we the people have said NO!
OPEN THE GOVERNMENT YOU RICH REPUBLICANS!
4
You know this Wall stuff is really about Trump's sick ego. It has nothing to do with border security.
So when the issue comes up one shouldn't talk or report about border security issues, rather the talk should focus on Trumps dick ego.
Border security is very low on list of national to do list.
We are dealing with a dangerously sick president, Let us not be distracted.
If you just have the use "border and "Trump" in same sentence it might read..." Trump may be afflicted with BORDERline personality disorder".
11
Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez more interested in politics and open borders than America’s security and federal workers.
2
Trump loves the shutdown because it diverts attention from all the numerous investigations of his campaign, business, possible treason, etc.
You gotta think like a carnival barker - whoever is loudest gets the attention and he would rather we look over here than over there
7
The Prez has shot himself in the foot/painted himself into a corner. Choose your metaphor. His vaunt that he could shoot someone in Manhattan and not lose a single supporter, has also proved vainglorious. Some certainly are leaving him, though he's, as yet, innocent of murder. The Wall has become the biblical Millstone around his neck. His plight?that of a Dealer, whose hard-boiled supporters leave him no room to deal. It's the plight of 'the Young Lady from Niger/ Who rode on the back a tiger' ... ending, as Edward Lear predicted, 'with the Lady inside/and the smile on the face of the tiger!'
2
Why didn't Rand Paul vote?
Did McConnell make the other Senator from Kentucky stand down?
Can someone explain to Donald Trump that his base will love him no matter what he does, including cave on the wall, as long as he pretends he's won something in so doing? And everyone else hates him anyway, so he's not going to win anyone new by "standing tough."
And can someone similarly explain to Mitch McConnell that the majority of the people of Kentucky aren't going to vote for him just because he's debasing himself and his office to support Donald Trump's idiotic presidency, and he might as well do the right thing for a change before he's booted out of office?
Of course I get that Donald Trump is destroying our government because he has absolutely no idea what he's doing as President and doesn't care to learn, and as long as he's being reviled in the news, hey, he's in the news, and that's what matters to his tragic, fragile ego. So never mind that. I likewise get that Mitch McConnell can't do the math on his chances for re-election, but is nevertheless so shamelessly self-important that 800,000 people being out of work now pales by comparison to the possibility of him being out of work in two years. So never mind that, too.
Where do these vipers see themselves in five years? Who will celebrate then, besides the other vipers? Is that really sufficient? For Trump, probably--he has no human feeling. But for McConnell? Doesn't the good opinion of his family, of his friends, and of the people of the United States actually mean something to him?
5
No self respected civilized western country shut down government.
5
Democrats, put forward your plan with optimism, plain speaking, and simple facts about how it all will work.
Let people know that all issues have solutions and no solutions are perfect.
Show us why your solutions make more sense than the president's.
He's not very good at working out details.
Tell us yours. Spark our sense of the possible.
It's time to end the "Trumpdown"
That's how it should be named.
4
This is a disgrace. Perhaps Republicans will lift US sanctions on more corrupt $billionaire Russian oligarchs like they did last week instead of lifting sanctions on the US Government. Or maybe Trump and Giuliani can threaten Senator's family members.
I'm glad to see a few Republican Senators act with reason and vote for the very basic Democratic proposal that was already agreed upon by Republicans previosly to reopen the US Government, including Senator Romney, who in the past accurately identified the threat from Putin's Russia, yet was unjustly ridiculed for it.
Republicans led by Trump and McConnell need to stop using the US Government as a hostage to force Congress to fund what ever Trump wants - in this case partial funding for an obsolete wall Trump bragged Mexico would pay for - when most illegal immigrants, drugs, and smuggling come through points of entry. If you want border security - even a wall, that's great. Observe the reality of the situation and contemplate a solution based on the facts. Negotiate and compromise as is the legislative process. Do not strangle the FBI, the Coast Guard, the air traffic controllers, and all of the rest of the US Government and therefore the American People instead.
1
Our aviation and Coast Guard workers, and more specifically the TSA workers, could end this government shutdown in a day or far less simply not coming to work. No pay, no work. When our federal politicians need to use buses to get to Washington and back to home, this shutdown would be over in a New York minute. Oh, you federal workers will say, “I have taken an oath.” To which I would say to you, your beloved oath is a two way obligation between you and our government. Our government’s oath to pay you for your dedicated work has been abandoned. That frees you to abandon yours. Stop playing suckers to this president and his GOP minions; stop working! Return control of your life into your hands and teach this arrogant fool of a president a lesson he needs to learn by not going to work and leaving him to hang out to dry. Not to do so is to doom yourself, your families and all future federal employees to replay this nonsensical political game over and over again. The power is in your hands, not congress; use it to your benefit and to the benefit of the rest of us. Please!
6
America is under siege: Our airways, Coast Guard, Law Enforcement Agencies are all crippled.
This is nothing short of SABOTAGE.
Unacceptable outcome today by Congress.
Incompetent handling by both parties.
3
So American federal workers continue to wait for a salary. Meanwhile on ONE vote the Republicans made sure Putin’s buddy Oleg Deripaska loses not a dime due to US sanctions.
5
"Mr. Trump...said [he] was not dropping his demand for wall funding."
Maybe not...his concept of 'a wall,' however, is 'evolving.'
How non functional can we get? When or if this ever ends we must change the way bills are introduced in Congress. How come no one questions this idiotic idea of attaching bills to bills?? This needs to be changed. It's a wonder anything gets done! Holding govt employees hostage each time there is a political fight has got to stop. Has anyone computed the cost of essentially giving all the furloughed federal workers a paid vacation? They will get back pay of course as they should. But this is costing more than the wall which is mostly built anyway!
Good God, I hope the Union lasts longer than the republican party. But, if this United States is brought to its knees by a flock of con artists and kowtowers like Mitch McConnell and Ann Coulter, then really what kind of union was it? It will be scary and interesting to find out.
2
No walls. Period. Counter-productive. Wasteful of taxpayer money. Irrelevant to the needs we have and the problems we face. Citizenship for Dreamers, yes. Dems cave to the "master of deals?" Never! Trump and the GOP "leadership" had better bring gov't workers back to their jobs NOW and KEEP them there. And stop their mindless political blackmail.
2
The biggest problem here, as usual, is Donald , I know everything, Trump.
Get out the bug spray and move on.
1
Term limits now.
4
Isn’t Congress getting ready to shut down for their first vacation of the year this week? Or is it next week ,
In Real Estate - if you can't get the deal that you want, you go down the street to a different deal.
Alas, Trump cannot go down the street to a different Congress. He has to actually (Gasp!) negotiate. You know, offer something to the other guy to get some of the stuff that you want. That is to say, recognize that political negotiations are NOT a zero-sum game
This is further complicated by the fact that Trump has never dealt with a woman before that he could not walk all over. The very concept that a 'mere woman' would have the power to thwart his whims is totally new to him.
And then of course we have the distractor-in-chief flailing about to keep us from seeing the man behind the curtain. We have found out enough to wonder which might be worse - that Trump is a knowing (if possibly unwilling) tool of the Russian intelligence service; or worse - one of those that Stalin referred to as 'useful idiots'. Trumps's foreign policy moves could not benefit Russia any more if they were explicitly dictated by Putin.
1
Hopefully we all remember the McConnell shut down and vote out all senators used federal employees as hostages
2
215 Democrats voted not to pay the Federal Employees today. Think about that!
1
No, they voted to open the government. Trump owns this. He brayed about it. The shutdown and its consequences are entirely his and Mitch’s.
2
What a sorry bully and his playground buddies. Republicans should stand up and tell the president to reopen government. Then get back to serious discussions of border security
3
Both measures received the necessary numbers of vote required to pass, but were killed by the Senate's "60-Vote Rule," which is clearly unconstitutional. Federal courts have ruled many times that—with only three exceptions—the Constitution provides that all measures brought before Congress are to be decided a simple majority vote. These exceptions are treaty confirmations, impeachments and constitutional amendments. The vice president, acting as president of the Senate, or the majority leader, should have exercised the “Nuclear Option” to override the 60-Vote Rule and bring the measures to a vote.
Let’s recap: Trump campaigned on getting Mexico to pay for a wall, using bigoted, inflammatory language that ignited our worst fears and impulses. Now Trump is holding about a million federal workers and contractors hostage for a wall that most Americans don’t want, people living on the border don’t want, and every expert agrees is an unwise use of money when the real need is for staff, technology and equipment. Good governance demands that our leaders negotiate and compromise. Democrats have repeatedly worked with Republicans willing to govern, only to have perfectly good legislation torpedoed by the minority far right freedom caucus, propelled by far right provocateurs in the media. Americans deserve a working government that represents all of us! We are plenty fed up with the right wing flame throwers and liars that seek to break our government and our country for their own personal power and enrichment. Mitch McConnell, Donald Trump and Ann Coulter are holding our entire country hostage, hurting federal workers terribly without any shame or remorse, because they refuse to work with other Americans to solve our problems. America does not negotiate with hostage takers. Open up the government and get to work, McConnell!
5
No more pay for the elected Senators until the government is reopened. We'll see how that lights a fire under McConnell. Maybe he'll conjure up that veto vote and give Trump the finger. Get serious please, you were ELECTED to lead. This is a farce.
3
Figure out how to pay these people now. There has to be a way so figure it out. Stop holding them hostage while pointing fingers at each other for the shutdown. Hold all paychecks for Congress and the Senate next time when there is a shutdown. There needs to be some urgent motivation to short circuit these ridiculous shutdowns. Something that causes our legislators the same pain as the rest of the government employees who aren't getting paid. I'm hoping we don't suffer a disaster because of overworked and understaffed TSA or Air Traffic Controllers or Coast Guard. That will doom this President.
2
So now that two bills failed that both parties already knew would fail they are in a frenzy. All they did was waste time while people are hurting. This frenzy should have started a month ago.
2
If DJT doesn't destroy our fragile democracy, he has published the blueprint and playbook for some other demagogue to do it later. If a democracy like America's is going to exist, there will have to be a paradigm shift in human thought throughout the world.
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer based on a linguistic "survival" algorithm, which will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our ridiculous beliefs about what is supposed to survive - producing minds programmed de facto for destruction. These minds see the survival of a particular belief as more important than the survival of all. When we understand this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity.
See RevolutionOfReason.com
There is an interesting series, Walls Across America, that visits the houses of notable Democrats that claim walls do not work and walls are a waste of money.
The only conclusion possible is that all of these notable Democrats are really wasteful spenders.
@Happy Liberal Walls only stop non-motivated intruders in populated areas where tunneline or climbing would be noticed. A wall in the middle of nowhere ( most of the border by the way) is useless and easily subverted when money and or desperation is involved. A drug cartel could easily into a Home that had a wall around it without breaking a sweat . Please start talking apples to apples. By the way, by your approach we should wall off Canada also.
1
As the trickle down shut down repercussions pool and ripple through the economy in ever widening circles, it is time for the Republicans to recognize that their unconditional allegiance to Trump and his tyrannical insistence on his wall may eventually produce an economic crisis or slowdown for which they, Trump his lackey Mc Connell will be blamed. Clearly, they will not act to protect the role of the Congress as a coequal branch of government, but they might if the dollar signs are beginning to pose a threat to their re-election.
2
I found it innaresting that the Democratic bill was better supported, and drew a majority.
By adding immigration, amnesty changes to the money for the wall only complicates the issue. It makes it much harder to resolve the problem. Immigration has been an intractable problem for years. Why would anyone add that to the mix while holding federal workers hostage is incredulous. Trump does not care about these people. And base on the comments of some people who work for him or his own family it shows how out of touch they are. I saw one man who voted for him on TV last night. His baby depends on a feeding tube and a breathing tube. They are just about out of money. I guess it takes someone like me who grew up in New York to know that Trump does not care about these people who voted for him. He cannot relate. How can someone who lives in a penthouse above Fifth Avenue relate to the common man?
1
Build the wall, but Medicare for all???
1
What both sides seem to be forgetting, or is not being discussed, is Trump's campaign promise to "build a wall and Mexico is paying for it" is nothing other than campaign fodder for a bunch of "old white people", whose government and country has long since passed them by. Campaign promises are made every year by politicians, nearly none of them will ever get enacted.
This "wall" has nothing to do with border security, but simply is about Trump's vanity, period. His obsession with putting his name on all kinds of things, has been apparent since he started in NY real estate. Bigger building meant a bigger trump name on the buildings, on airplanes, on Vodka, Steaks, University, it goes on and on.
The one common theme of more than 70% of his businesses, is that they failed and were left bankrupt, all with other peoples money.
This wall be one of the failures, but he doesn't care, in his very small, disturbed mind, he thinks "his" wall will go down in history, like old Roman roads and bridges, and China's Great Wall. Except this one will likely be required to have his name, in gold, every mile.
Meanwhile, the drugs will go around and under or over, and the desperate people trying to better their lives, will climb, cut or find another way to resolve their desperation.
2
What has changed from December 2018 up to now that caused practically all Republicans’ positions to shift? Now, the GOPs can’t pass legislation that they passed (almost unanimously) about 1 month ago?
Looks like a classic example of playing politics ... while the wellbeing of federal workers, federal contractors, business owners, and all their dependents is held hostage and ignored.
It’s of little matter though for Republicans, because at least the workers can take out loans... on which they’ll pay interest... making $$$ for banks... and the GDP will barely be touched.
Come to think of it, it’s also a good example of pathology. I just don’t know which prefix fits best: socio- or psycho- ?
So, money is all that matters to Republicans. If I were not retired, the flu would be infecting me right now. However, I can sure stop buying anything that’s not essential until the shutdown ends!
Crime will fall with gun control. With each and every extra install of another regulatory pal. If Judge Moore is kept from the mall. If we cut the MAGA drawl, pressing minds to think small. When we oust the beholden cabal and their obstructionist Wall, making the government stall. Vote in the incorruptible pol. And when y'all kleptocrats fall.
Liquidate Trump Organization and pay for the Wall. Name it Trump's Wall.
Donald seems to know he won't beat Nancy. As does she.
1
Just remember we are here because 60 million voters thought a billionaire showboat with no experience in government, 4 bankruptcies, a whole trail of questionable (very likely illegal) business dealings, who is an incontrovertible misogynist and racist would be a better choice for president than a highly successful, two-term Senator and former Secretary of State. As if the “emails” were in any way comparable to an unqualified serial liar, huckster, and someone who has likely committed tax fraud, multiple campaign violations, and other felonies.
This is the fundamental problem the country faces going forward.
6
Dear Kentucky,
Please give Mitch a porch somewhere in your great state and give the rest of the nation a break in 2020. If you hate government so much on principle that you would send a committed do-nothing nay-sayer as your champion who doesn't mind starving 800,000 federal workers to please his loose cannon boss, please just stay home in 2020, and as I said, give the rest of the nation an opportunity for a better life with things like affordable health care and air we can breathe.
Sincerely,
An Average American
4
“Is common ground a word or just a sound?”
-Lou Reed
1
Trump is an arsonist, and with his sham compromise he's just posing as the fire brigade. This tactic cannot be legitimized, or we will be caught in an endless cycle of self-inflicted disasters which are turned into bargaining chips. Stand firm, Madame Speaker.
2
Since the Mexicans aren't going to pay for it perhaps Trump could obtain the funds from another source. Since Deutsche Bank has such a good relationship with him and I'm sure that they have been well compensated for their partnership with him in the money laundering scheme they might want to throw in some money.
1
With apologies to King Richard (and the Bard), I’ll put into the American president’s mouth what Shakespeare put into his king’s:
“A wall, a wall, my country for a wall!”
1
Let's just say the Dems win 51 to 50 and move on.
Hmm. Shutting down the American government for the sake of illegal aliens. I believe that George Washington inveighed against that sort of sentiment in his farewell address. Our country would be in much better shape if our elected officials took his advice to heart.
1
McConnell, last I heard, is still married to one of Trump's cabinet members, Elaine Chao, who has her own backstory, with undeniable ties to China. Don't expect him to act on behalf of the American people. Only hope that we have an overturn of the situation in 2020 if not before, and Mitch is forever banished if not spending the rest of his life in prison for treason.
1
Somebody is going to die and then this whole thing won't be funny anymore. From air travel, meat inspection, security, and countless other vectors make it a statistical certainty that someone is going to die because of the shutdown sooner or later. Then it will be lake Charlottesville where the alt right stopped being funny once people started getting killed.
1
West Virginia voters taking notes, I hope. Time for DINO Manchin to go.
John Cornyn-"I have done nothing and have nothing to say, but woe be to those Democrats for not thinking the President's bill wasn't bipartisan."
Ridiculous.
2
It is time to free the hostages - get people back to work - then thoughtfully sort out border security.
1
What about the ones who did not vote?
Everybody has to remember that McConnell is another Trump type but with a different persona. And he’s been at this power game for a heck of lot longer. He has Little Man syndrome. All he cares about is being Big and Powerful. He has never had any interest in what’s good for the country. So don’t expect him to change now. Like Trump, the only way to get rid of him is to vote him out.
3
Folks, we need a a couple more political parties. We cannot continue to let the current two existing goons only exist. otherwise, this could become a new norm.
The wall is half about Trump's ego, half about the blank check he's trying to write for himself with handpicked fencing contractors. This scam couldn't exist if people weren't so responsive to fear mongering, lies, and not bothering to fact check.
Fire them . The both bills in the hardlined GOP senate failed so what are they good for. The GOP are obstructionists and President Obama was correct saying that a long time ago. For Trump to be calling Cohens father a mafia man is very dangerous and careless so I hope the religious groups listening to all this will be ashamed of themselves for voting for Trump and the GOP.
What can be said of Republican senators who voted for the same bill in December that they voted against today? Partisan pinheads pandering to a peabrain president.
And someone should tell trump that gratuitous capitalization doesn’t make him look strong; it makes him look illiterate.
1
As Trump throws more Central American asylum seekers back into Mexico, I have a question.
Will he throw out Venezuelan asylum seekers and return them to Maduro too?
Hey, Federal workers! No need for trips to the food bank. Trump says “he hears” that local people and grocery stores are giving away meals. I’m sure that you can just stroll into Trump International Hotel in D.C. for a free dinner, too! Ya.
1
This wall is just an excuse. Trump neither has any clue how to minimize illegal immigration nor the efficacy of the wall to do that job. All available data indicate that wall is not effective to do just anything- minimizing illegal immigration or stop drug trafficking. But Trump hardly cares about illegal immigration or just any issue. Experts say there is no security crisis, there are few ways to fix immigration, and it's not a wall. There are reasons why Trump is not going after the employers who recruit illegal immigrants. In that case, almost every Trump companies would be prosecuted.
GOP senators must take more responsibility & own this Trump shutdown, as they are enabling this corrupt & criminal bully to get away with his whims & taking the country hostage.
Trump has no interest to open the Govt as accountability, corruption, & criminal drag net is closing to him. Trump has so many reasons to stop FBI (already officially complained) & other federal agencies from doing what they are supposed to do, stop all investigation against him, deny Dem led House to do its job. We all know that Trump does not have any attachment to any ideology (religious or political), or ethics, or morality. He is only interested in his own money & power. For that he is ready to do just anything including holding the country hostage & keeping the Govt shut.
1
Sometimes a picture is worth a zillion words. See this week's (1/28/19) New Yorker cover: Trump's Wall.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine
Basically, federal workers can blame Mitch McConnell for this unnecessarily long delay and bad handling of the dueling bills to reopen the government that he already knew would fail.
Although nothing much Trump has done has put a big dent into his "approval" rating, the government shutdown has. Trump's approval has gone from 42% to 34% over this issue.
If you think Trump and any of the Republican politicians care a whit for the salaried and working people of this country, I have a bridge to sell you.
Okay, Trump and the Republicans just did try to sell you and overpriced, worthless wall, which experts say will not do as much for border security as a number of other options.
Or, just maybe Trump's Wall is not really intended to keep illegal immigrants out, but to keep us disgusted Americans in.
No Wall, No Way!
The Republicans are actually doing what they said many times. They are starving the beast. Trouble is, it's them.
I have been paying attention to American politics since John Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in 1960.
How our unqualified, unfit, unbalanced president holds the current Republican senators in a headlock is a complete mystery to me.
Does loyalty to our country, to the constitution, to the American people count for nothing with these elected men and women? In a better world, the idea of United States Senators denying their primary loyalties out of fear that they risk not being re-elected would not even be seriously considered. The welfare of the nation and the people come first.
“Loyalty above all else, except honor.”
Not loyalty to an irrational, hateful liar. Loyalty to the United States of America!
Republican Senators! Those of you who have, again and again, done as our would-be-king dictated. How do each of you look at yourself in a mirror as you prepare each morning for another day of betraying the nation and disgracing the Party of Lincoln?!?
Can’t you see the writing on the wall?
Re-election means nothing while this unprincipled scoundrel is in power. Re-election to what?
To the ghost of the U.S. Senate?
For our nation, for the dreams of our founding fathers, for simple decency — come to your senses! Donald Trump is destroying something he doesn’t even have the capacity understand; a nation built on the efforts, courage and sacrifice of millions and millions of hard-working patriotic American citizens.
Stop Trump! Stop this insanity! For the good of the Republic. Please!
2
Pelosi is doing a great job.
Glad to hear that Pen e got an earful from the GOP in the Senate.
There's no gulf. That would imply 2 legitimate sides. Here there's just a petty, narcissist, tyrant trying to hold a nation hostage by hanging millions of hard working Americans out to dry.
To say there is a gulf is like saying there's a gulf between you and a person who is trying to blackmail you because you disagreed with them.
Hey Mitch, this one is on you and your lack of leadership skills. If you can’t man-up and tell DJT to forget the wall, then step aside and let someone else lead the Senate. Quite sure that at least six of your colleagues know the Cardinal Rule of Executive Management - Never mess with employee paychecks. Never.
Actually there is clearly no movement and very little incentive for the Democrats to budge since they are clearly winning this debate. One can dismiss the usual attempts to draw attention to himself from Graham who the Democrats know is a Trump stooge. You have know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Trump and McConnell need to cut their losses, the Trump/McConnell shutdown is turning into a moral and political disaster.
2
It isn’t Trump who is out of town and holding hostages.
Dems are not even in town.
Nancy called a recess of the House - from Thursday evening until Tuesday morning.
Unbelievable.
1
'We want to protect you, that's why we:
Stopped paying you
Left 38 Million Americans lifeline to Food Stamps unfunded
Made your air travel less safe
Halted funding for FBI criminal investigations
Put your jobs in jeopardy
Have cost Americans over 17 billion dollars to date as fallout from this shut down
Destroyed trust between the US Citizens and their government ( probably Trump's, er, I mean Putin's REAL goal)
But really, that WALL funding just HAS to happen NOW, even if it won't be built for 2 years, it's worth causing a humanitarian crisis over 38 million Americans in the dead of winter who very soon will have no food to eat, 90% of them being families with children.
Go ahead Sarah Huckabee, tell me about how important the wall funding is vs the lives of millions of American children, and tens of millions American adults.
Forbes says 80% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, the breakage on infrastructure and trust from this 'act of cruelty' justified by Trump, KellyAnne Conway, Sarah Huckabee ? may just be more damaging than the 2008 financial crisis that we BARELY survived.
I'd argue Trump - KellyAnne Conway, Sarah Huckabee ARE the threat to national security. As criminal as this is to cause so much harm to US citizens - for 'the wall' - when DEA? FBI? ICE ? ALL say 90% of crime and drugs comes through port of entry, that 'a wall' is pointless.
1
Now we're shrinking to a "down payment" request for Trump's absurd campaign-slogan wall.
Obviously Trump needs a fig leaf, even a tiny one among all the ponderous hanging folds of lies.
But Pelosi is right: No fig leaf down payment. No wall. No wall.
[Remember early-on he said, "But I'd look foolish if I open the government without getting the wall". That's right. That's what you are and how you'll look.]
1
Hmmm. The Great Developer is now talking about the $5.8 billion, or number out of a hat du jour, as a down payment. Whoa, Nellie. How about coming up with a budget for the WALL, rather than nickel and dining the country or throwing spitballs at a wall. We can at least debate the former. Or, is this how someone declares bankruptcy numerous times, despite millions in prop-up dough from daddy? Hey you 63 million Trump voters: He wasn't even a decent businessman, but someone who wasted your time on TV!
So now Trump wants a down payment on his wall. A wall on the layaway plan?
1
When all else fails, negotiate. Shouldn't that be the - first - step?
“Opening the government,” aside from the vital issue of paying 800,000 working Americans their due salary, is in many ways a misleading description. It does not explain that a return to its traditional culture and working ethic of: 1) personal unaccountability for harmful voiced and written words and done deeds to many, as well as not planning, carrying out and assessing needed policies and programs design to achieve and sustain types, levels and qualities of wellbeing for all; a mandate for which they were all elected/“hired!” 2) spending 1 hour in policy related activities for every 4 hours spent fund raising for their party as well as for their own reelection; 3) enabling, and even promoting, complacently or complicitly for Americas’s ongoing toxic WE-THEY culture and traditions, which violate,daily, by words and deeds created, selected and targeted “the other(s)” to continue. Disempowered People. Menschlich Norms.Values of mutual trust, respect, civil interchanges, mutual help, when and if needed;5)enabling a failing President, who lies and harms - bodies, psyches, souls- of many Americans and others, daily, and has promulgated “ kidnapping” of children from their parents, with impugnity, and has not demonstrated the healthy ability to learn from any and all outcomes and make relevant changes, and a significantly impaired Person, to desecrate the role of President in a divided US with its diverse people’s, to continue in his ways affecting a sense of national security.
1
As one of the diehard Trump supporters "elite" limousine liberals love to disparage, I believe Trump should accept Chuck&Nancy's $5.7 B+ for their 'enhanced border security' and giveaways to DACA--in this way, giving these two Dem babies their victory--and then turn it around on them by LABELING and using a nice chunk of this money for his border wall. That way, each side claims Victory but the victory is just a semantic one. In other words, re-name it and claim it. The real villains here are the immoral and rich C&S who take off weekends, Christmas and New Year to points south all the while lambasting a President who works nonstop for free.
Dear Donald,
Congress does not want the wall as shown by their votes. The majority of American citizens do not want the wall. You could not even get your wall when Congress was under GOP control. Please give up on this childish obsession and end this shutdown!
Trump is a bit like Nero of old in Ancient Rome with huge problems of self identity; he has no strategy except to get his way and in the process he is intent on burning down Rome. The general masses in Trump's world are treated similarly as Nero's contempt for Roman citizens - they only matter as long as they propped up his ego and his deluded ideas of grandeur which ultimately benefitted only himself. Nero wanted to burn down Rome to make way for extensions of his Golden Palace. Trump wants to cut off workers' livelihoods to build his Golden Wall.
1
Time for vigilance. Trump is wounded, rabid, publicly humiliated. Who knows what he will try next. That he finally appears somewhat conciliatory we can't believe this posture he's assumed. It wouldn't surprise me if he looked to the Russians to help him take revenge in some way. If I were Nancy I'd be very careful.
1
The President said 2 migrant caravans were successfully stopped at the border.
Well, if things are going that good, it seems a wall is not necessary.
1
Trump can easily turn the disorder in his favor. (Do I refer to his disorder or that of those two branches of federal government?) Go along with restarting funding for shutdown functions making a sacrificial lamb of his wall and himself. Then tell his zombie following he is willing to sacrifice his 2020 re-election and the country's desperate need for his continued wise governance for the sake of innocent sufferers, victims of "Democrat" malfeasance, as a result of the opposing political party's zeal to destroy America for socialist goals or whatever. Make up some story.
Meanwhile 800,000 people still suffer. Rent needs paid, families need fed, there are doctors and dentists, medical conditions and family crises that are all occurring and becoming a million times worse... strictly because of Trump and his wall.
It is sad when the president of the United States takes more interest in keeping foreigners out than citizens safe.
At this rate, the next president will need to "make America great again" thanks to the indifference, incompetence and ugly cruelty of one Donald Trump.
1
Am I missing something, or does this (lengthy) article never once mention the actual vote count beyond the fact that both garnered below 60 and that 6 Republicans jumped ship?
Might one sentence with the vote count for each measure not be nice, for clarity’s sake?
When Republicans shut down the government over and over in the Obama years they paid no price at the polls. They're counting on this voter amnesia again. When McConnell denied Garland a hearing, he and his ilk paid no price and he's also counting on this same indifference again.
It's up to the voters to make Republicans pay in 2020 for the monumental damage Trump and McConnell, and the 1% worshiping Republicans have caused the country.
1
The Senate votes showed that Senate Republicans are more willing to compromise for the good of America and Federal workers than Democrats.
More Republicans crossed the aisle. Only Senator Manchin among the Democrats voted like a patriot.
Democrats have sacrificed Dreamers for years to play politics. Now they are sacrificing Federal workers and contractors and public safety too for political ends.
Disgusting.
1
Presidents are sworn into office holding their hand on the Bible and swearing to “faithfully execute the Office of the President” and “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”. Being so sworn, they immediately become the head of the Executive Branch of the federal government which impacts all of us in so many vital aspects of our lives. Where in the Constitution does it allow any President to stop governing, i.e., shut down the government, and yet remain in office?
Can you please put the number of US citizens favoring/opposing this vote?
Use this method:
Each senator(replaced with their home state population) in favor vs / oppose.
We will find that minority (not even 45% but smaller is holding this nation hostage.. and if we're democracy, this has to change.
1
Clearly border security experts have been talking at Trump about the use of drones and other mordern meAns of monitoring the border. Trump says he now knows “more than they do” on the subject. Yeah, right. But have these tech experts explained how drones will be used by the Mexican side to transport drugs, contraband and (soon) humans over the border. This will make a physical wall obsolete for large stretches. And it costs $300 to fly from Central America to Canada. No visa. Then walk across norther border. We need a well thought out plan, stop with campaign chant solutions.
Asking Federal workers and the Coast Guard to stop going to food banks and get loans is unbelievable. And told to keep working or it is illegal and they will be fired. Why should Americans be humiliated into taking borrowed money, and have to pay interest on money that is theirs, is outrageous. And all for a wall. Mr. Trump has said time and again that the $5.7 billion is the first installment of five for his wall, so he is actually pushing for $28 billion. A wall can be scaled or dug under with tunnels. Democrats want sensible border security, and have offered $5.7 billion towards security, for drones and x-ray machines to find drugs, of which most are brought in at ports of entry. End the shut down, taking away Americans paychecks is just plain wrong.
Which mayor of which American city would allow snow removal or garbage collection lapse for a month? Michael Bilandic didn't plow the streets in Chicago and was given a bum's rush. It's time for such a bum's rush to McConnel and his gang, and trump, too.
1
From the article:
‘The House took separate action earlier Thursday to pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 28, with all but five Republicans voting “no.”’
What could better demonstrate the lack of an actual crisis at the border than the fact that the GOP as a whole is perfectly content to vote AGAINST funding the Department of Homeland Security?
I cant believe that the American people are ok with 800,000 federal workers to work without pay. Qhy is any bill other than to reopen the government on the floor?Does anyone even realize where veterans get jobs after they served? They work for the Department of Homeland Security like my husband & many of his friends from the military. They work for the Department of Defense. A third of them are veterans. 1 out of 3... This is shameful. Our current administration is holding financially hostage the very people that keep us secure. My husband's job is essential and he is not getting paid, but somehow is still is loyal to a country that I personally, am completely ashamed of at this point. Does anyone not get the anxiety & despair that not only is happening in our own harworking family currrently trying to survive this soulless shutdown, but all our friends (mostly veterans) in the same predicament? Do you understand the heartache I feel when a friend calls to say her veteran husband just humbled himself to apply for food stamps on his way home from a job deemed essential to the American people because he is not being paid? The only bill that should be put to the floor & unanimously pass is to reopen the government. Anyone that denies that is a terrorist to their own country. They will be voted out. We have sadly let loose our priorities that had made this country great. Do what's right first. Pay people for the work that they do. This is just a new spangled form of enslavement.
Mr.Trump is presiding over two national emergencies.There are still children who have been separated from their parents as they applied for asylum on our southern border.his idea to solve the border problem is to,build a wall which Congress is unwilling to fund. he has therefore closed the government and withheld paychecks from hundreds of thousands of workers- he has created another emergency.The FBI and CIA and Traffic Controllers say we are no longer safe and workers are suffering.Imagine, creating at least two emergencies -Congress has to over-rule this inept pretend leader!
The Republican majority in House and Senate wouldn't give a penny to funding Pres. 45's wall. Democrats with their new majority in the House offered the amount of money demanded in the ransom note, but not to build a useless, physical wall. Instead, it's to improve border security.
In the meantime, polls are showing the man who owns the shutdown appears to have made a mistake.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_trump_job_approval-6179.html#polls
Wilbur Ross' attempt to "help" the 800,000 federal hostages cut off from their paychecks by telling them to try getting the money through interest-bearing loans probably won't help those polls, either.
Six weeks of a government shutdown. It will go into the history books as the Madness of Donald Trump.
It's hard to believe so much energy and money is being wasted because Speaker Pelosi won't fund a...wall. Literally stopping the country's functioning over a wall, of all things, makes no sense.
Democrats have lost their minds. I hope voters let them know that.
Will the ignorant news media please STOP saying "800,000 federal workers miss a second consecutive paycheck." It is not 800K. It is millions more who are working fewer or no hours because almost 1 million fed workers can't go shopping or buying stuff! What is the matter with the news media that they don't understand the power of citing the real numbers affected by this. Also, add on the family members of the 800K. They are also suffering. I am totally frustrated with the naivete and weakness of the press. REPORT ACCURATELY.
"urgent negotiations"?? Why weren't there urgent negotiations back in December?
The GOP has been using shutdowns as a weapon since the Reagan administration. They persist in holding the government hostage time and again because it works; they get their way. This reached a low point with Newt Gingrich, as the most egregious example until recently was his 21-day shutdown. The result was Clinton ultimately meeting GOP demands.
Democrats alone seem to care about good governance for all, but being slow learners, it took them more than 20 years to realize that by giving in to one tantrum, you precipitate another.
Thankfully Congressional Democrats seem to have finally learned this lesson. Yet, from the comments I read here, some still think a fair compromise includes a wall.
It must not include a wall.
To do so is to once again give in to the demands of the hostage-taking GOP. More border funding to add drone, revamp ports of entry, and hire immigration judges? Barring a clean bill, absolutely. Democrats care about strong borders, too. But a physical wall must not enter into the negotiation.
Finally, it's also time to amend the Antideficiency Act and end these shutdowns for good. If a budget cannot be passed, the government should continue operating using the previous year's budget. No other developed country deals with this on a regular basis—nor would they tolerate it.
Trump started the shutdown; he could stop it. But with the indictment of Roger Stone, he might just use the federal workers as the human shield.
You have to give Senator Lisa Murkowski utmost credit for crossing the party line to do the right thing but McConnell would never allow it. He is just a Trump lackey
Ross's "taking out a loan" is the moral equivalence of "let them eat cake" or "ask your parents." With people like Ross leading this country, who need enemies?
1
Its hard to imagine any Senator supporting Trump. The GOP big wigs scrambling around trying to save face while real dangers and suffering are inflicted on Americans. The Mexico border is a difficult problem. The US is a very rich country and Central America has poverty stricken masses who live under terrible stress from corrupt gov'ts and uncontrolled criminal violence. Mexico's new president has tried to help these migrants. The US would be wise to figure out a way to work with Mexico to help bring decency and civil governance to keep these migrants at home. Trying to win through law enforcement alone only makes the problem worse.
3
Donald Trump is no longer a clear and present danger to our Republic. He and his Senate majority enabler are unraveling our country right before our eyes. If we don’t stop them soon, our country and the stability of the global order our grandparents fought and died to create 70 years ago will be destroyed. What replaces it will be dark, and subversive.
4
The government shutdown is a tragedy and at its core is malicious cruelty and hate.
A wall is an inefficient element of border security requiring enormous human and financial resources to defend and maintain it. Whether built to keep people in or to keep people out, people will find a way to breach it. A wall becomes a physical line that permits inhuman acts from its defenders.
A US southern border wall is meant to keep out desperate refugees and their families. This can be concluded from inhumane immigration policies practiced by the current administration, creating a humanitarian crisis at points of entry along the southern border, and in its proposals to end the government shutdown. The targets of such inhumanity are those deemed undersirable and less than human.
To build a wall to keep out people hated for nothing more than the color of their skin, and a wall that will not work, and a wall that will serve as an excuse for further inhumane acts is a deplorable, monstrous example of inhumanity also witnessed in a shutdown purposely terrorizing and harming American workers and their families. Only the sickest, cruelest, most hateful minds could create such tragedies.
Republican Leadership in the US Senate has the power to end these manufactured human disasters now. It is clear the Administration is impervious to the human suffering it purposely created and to exponentially increasing harm to this country. Stop the monster.
2
Two questions are apparent.
1) Will Congressional Republicans negotiate in good faith? The GOP controlled a majority in Congress for the previous 2 years and may be hesitant to share leadership of the Legislature. Mitch McConnell has not felt an "urgent" need to craft a solution to Trump's shutdown. It's as if Mitch forgot he works for We The People versus Trump Tower, as Rep. Ayanna Pressley aptly stated. America's government has been shut down by both Trump and Mitch, the later would not entertain any floor vote a month because he said Trump would veto a bill passing the Senate bill. At least try Mitch.
2) Will Trump sign a bipartisan bill that passes the House and Senate? His childish tantrum act of shuttering all government is unpopular. Trump's $5.7 Billion demand for a useless wall has damaged America's economy, hurt 800,000 federal workers and millions who use federal agencies. Trump's disapproval poll numbers are at an all time high (6 out of 10 disapprove). Republicans openly complain of Trump's intractability.
Should Trump veto a bipartisan bill, Congressional Republicans can help America and We The People. They can vote alongside Democrats to create the 2/3rds super-majority overriding a president's veto. That would be government working but knowing the GOP's track record, I'm not sure they care. They've married their political careers to Trump so they're stuck unless they choose this moment to break cleanly with an unpopular POTUS.
The shutdown begins with Pres. Trump. He is the problem; the center of the maelstrom. It is mere whim to him and nothing more, that he places national safety and security and citizen’s livelihoods and lives at risk. Pres. Trump is one with Ross - non compos mentis when it comes to persons other than themselves.
Pass government funding, override a Trump veto, open government and then talk border security.
Our separate, but equal branch of government must rein the menace, the destructive Pres. Trump.
2
Enough is enough , unions need to stage a walkout. I hope regular workers of all levels will support them by walking out too
3
Perhaps this debacle is not really only about Trump's whining demands for his coveted wall? Perhaps his real is aim is to continue the step-by-step destruction of the United States of America? He has deliberately placed incompetent cronies at the heads of important agencies, sought to ruin the Department of Justice, failed to protect us against Russian meddling the 2016 election, questioned the value of the FBI and has threatened to pull us out of NATO. And now with the shutdown entering its second month, there is sure to be more disruption and perhaps even wider mayhem from people who have been furloughed and are struggling to keep their heads above water. Donald Trump has wrecked everything he has touched in his life and now there is a destructive attack on the vital agencies that are at the core of our democracy. He has taken a wrecking ball to the heart of what makes our country great while he and his oligarchical friends feast on our treasure.
2
Nancy, Donald, Mitch
Here are my recommendations for the compromise.
1. Legislate a bill to approve funds for increased technology and personnel. Use metrics to determine if these measures are effective through 2020.
2 Legislate if by end of 2020 there is no decrease,of illegal immigration related crime , excluding asylum seekers than fund the wall. Asylum seekers must be vetted as young families with full security and FBI clearances.
3. DACA kids are out on a accelerated pathway to full citizenship.
4. Stop this attacks on universal healthcare
Let’s get our countries Federal employees paid yes including back pay and get on with other pressing matters.
1
If there's any vestige of sanity anywhere in the senate, everybody would just vote for the bill that was agreed on December, then A MILLION PEOPLE GET THEIR PAYCHECK, then go back to the negotiating table without a gun on anybody's head and discuss Wall, DACA, etc
2
Mr Trump claims the WALL is essential for america's security, but I recently saw a Fox news report, with video footage, of at least 100 Central Americans using a ladder to scale the wall and illegally enter the country, hmmm? I also remember reading a report of over 200 illegals digging under the wall to gain entry. A wall doesn't seem to provide that much security to me. I have vague memories of scaling the wall of a stadium to sneak into a Jimi Hendriks/Greatful Dead concert in my youth. Mr Trump scoffs at the immorality of walls, but on MLK day I saw a clip of Kings visit to Berlin's Wall and was again deeply moved by his words about walls.
1
Collapse? Seriously, Ms. Davis, surely you know these votes were political theater - both destined to fail.
Barring a cave by Trump, it will take 2/3's in the Senate and House to end the shutdown. Not likely.
2
What has happened to government of by and for the people? I always believed in American democracy and that we were a shining light on how good government can work for us all. This spineless Republican Senate makes me ashamed of how low we have sunk. Look in the mirror Republican Senators. Or perhaps they have no reflection of themselves left. Thank you Sen. Murkowski and Collins and the other 4 Republicans that joined the Democrats to vote to pay people for their labor and give us back our government services that we have already paid for with our tax dollars.
If Trump wants an ill considered wall he can raise and spend private money for it. But only if it is a donation.
1
So far, most observers view the shutdown as a political "bug" -- an unintended anomalous outcome to Trump's and the Republicans' ambitions. But what if the shutdown is, rather, a "feature" -- an intended, desired goal of these "Republicans"? Over the last six years they have sown the destruction of democracy's stability, effectivenesss, integrity, and credibility. This shutdown may be another front in an intended/tolerated destruction of our system of government. If so, it is innately treasonous. We should be in the streets.
3
It's not about the money. It's about immigration. The deal is going to be about immigration. But, first Nancy Pelosi has to defend the eighth hundred thousand workers not being paid. Then, any compromise has to include legalizing Dreamers, and protecting asylum seekers.
Well, it looks like neither side is willing to reach a deal to fund the USG. President Trump offered the Democrats a good faith proposal which would have allowed the "Dreamers" to say in the US for 3 more years, as well as individuals on temporary status. His proposals were very generous and out of character. The Democrats, on the other hand, have offered nothing. Absolutely nothing! It is so interesting that in the past that the Democrats supported the construction of walls or fences along the Southern border. But under Trump they don't; they say its immoral, that it is racist. Why wasn't the construction of barriers immoral or racist under previous administrations? Since the Democrats have supported barriers in the past but do not now demonstrates unequivocally that they are the ones playing politics. I don't understand why this issue does not backfire on them. I guess most of the Federal workforce blindly support the Democrats, which is shameful if they can't think for themselves. When I worked for the USG, most of the people I knew were Republicans; they abhorred Bill Clinton and welcomed Bush. Have things changed that dramatically? But then, I worked for the DOD. Oh well.
2
@southernboy
Even if a wall were a good idea (which most Americans say it is not), it is not wise to allow shutting down the government to be a tactic for one side to get its way. That is like allowing a toddler to get a cookie just because he holds his breath.
Would you have found this approach acceptable if, say, Obama had used it to get Medicare for All? If Trump gets his way here, what will the next Democrat President have learned?
One way to help resolve the current shutdown might be to re-name ‘Dreamers’ as ‘Temporary Residents Under My Protection’. It has that win-win feel about it, and smacks of reliable permanence!
2
There is no legislation on Trump's desk for him to either sign or veto. It is Pelosi and her minions who keep the government partially shutdown.
When you guys tire of Pelosi's hissy fits and force her to act responsibly maybe Congress can negotiate and pass legislation Trump will sign.
Otherwise, Trump just might declare a national emergency and put the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to work on building his wall.
Nobody but politicians win. The rest of us lose.
2
@GWB
How is it Pelosi's fault when Trump openly said he is proud to shut down the government and owns the shut down?
I'm really sick of this discussion being so focused on DACA.
Trump has refused to provide adequate disaster relief for Puerto Rico, has cut taxes on billionaires and corporations, is a disaster for the climate, is working hard to destroy Obamacare - is this really supposed to be the ONLY ground for compromise - an issue where both parties actually agree? Are we supposed to give them something many Republicans want as our only bargaining chip?
Yes, we don't negotiate with the hostage taker, but when we do negotiate, after the government is open, I hope the ground is not so limited.
1
Mrs. Pelosi is a reasonable person who wants to see the government opened as quickly as possible and begin to function again in a bipartisan manner.
Sen. McConnell is an intelligent man who understands that his Party has been greatly grievously damaged by the shutdown and Trump's insistence on the Wall.
Let them meet together tomorrow morning and agree between them that Trump can get his $5 billion Wall in exchange for Trump’s crystal clear guarantee that his next nominee to the Supreme Court will be Judge Merrick Garland and McConnell’s crystal clear guarantee that he will support Garland.
Trump gets his Wall, Democrats get Garland.
No Garland, no Wall.
4
To those who say a plague on both of your houses, I would remind you that this is a created crisis driven by right wing media hosts. It was a Republican controlled House and Senate that did not give Trump his wall for 2 years and failed to get a budget out for all of the government.
Trump was running fund raising off of this wall stuff in December before the current Democratic house was seated and the Republican House and Senate were still in session. This is all about stirring up his base and trying to break the newly seated Democratic majority in the House.
Trump , McConnell & Company are holding over 800,000 civil servants and others hostage for partisan political gain and nothing else. There is no reasoning with these people and McConnell is just as much to blame as Trump and just as reprehensible.
Ms Pelosi, stand firm. Mr Schumer, stand firm. Let the weasels that put their party above our nation squirm and break their back politically. Americans by significant margins voted for a Democratic Congress specifically to put a check on Trump and the Republicans- this is exactly why you were sent or returned to Washington.
5
President Trump seems to not know or want to know the extent of the authority of the president of our country. Speaker Pelosi seems to think she and only she is the chief of the country. She desperately needs to be taught a lesson however PresT is too weak and too nice a guy to go "Nixonian" on her. Sad.
So now they feel a sense of urgency and will work together to do the only job they are Constitutionally required to do.
It's so phony for members of Congress to express their concern about the plight of government employees who have been working without salaries for almost a month. If they were really concerned they would have expressed their support with action. They would have given up their own salaries and stipends as a tangible statement of their support, but they didn't. It would be foolhardy, however, to expect Donnie to do the same, because he thinks only of himself.
Am I missing something? Since funding for the wall is stuck in the House, wouldn’t it have made more sense if Trump had tried to get it through before the Democrats took it over?
Why did he wait, unless it was a deliberate decision to throw a spanner in the works?
1
I don't understand (I'm from the UK) how federal workers are not allowed to work elsewhere. Surely any contract comes to an end when wages are not paid-thats a broken contract. In essence Trump is blackmailing these workers and putting their lives at risk. Saw a woman federal worker on UK tv news saying she had a choice, either pay her rent or pay for her themotheraphy. What kind of society allows that?
1
This is not a failure of government, this is a preservation of the system of Checks and Balances as the founders intended. Thank you Nancy.
3
The "political" victory of Democrats is both urgent and important. It reasserts the fact that each branch of government is independent.
What I would like to see is legislation to reopen the government that passes House and Senate without any language to have the wall or a down payment for it and with enough votes to accomplish an override if Trump vetoes it. The time has come to end the dictatorship of the Trumpist Republican Party!
5
National Security is impaired, domestic aircraft no longer safe to fly, your neighbors... federal employees including law enforcement officers shopping at the food bank, veterans and seniors worried about their health care, significant road and construction halted. Trump said he owned this shutdown. Thank you Donald...for making America great again? Really?
8
There were never two plans. Simply two separate political flash points.
1
Now middle America can figure out if they agree with the Reds’ vision of smaller government.
Yeah bureaucrats can be annoying. But they provide vital services.
Good luck, little guy. Keep voting against your own self-interest. The rich will get by even with a smaller govt.
This is going to be Trump’s biggest contribution: breaking the institutional memory of countless govt agencies. He didn’t need them anyway.
5
The Senators realize, don't they, that they are dealing with a mad man. He and the plutocrats with whom he's surrounded himself know little about getting actual work done. They relate even less to the predicament faced by furloughed federal workers, out-of-work contractors, and small businesses hurt by the shutdown -- real people, after five long weeks, simply trying to put food on the table. And Mitch McConnell cares even less. He proved that back in 2009 and has proven it again and again in the years since. These people have no regard for America nor Americans.
10
Countless countless countless unintended consequences
Yeah border crossings are going to drop; because he’s doing his best to break the country. WHY!!!! It’s not over a border wall. This reeks of personal desperation.
(You know it’s probably hard for a president to improve the economy on his own, but this shows how to break it.)
5
This week the Supreme Court refused to hear a DACA appeal but sent it back to the lower courts meaning DACA won't likely be heard by SCOTUS for two years. Thus DACA protections are in place until then.
Why is DACA still being used as a negotiation chip?
7
@JB-"Why is DACA still being used as a negotiation chip?"
It's the Art of someone who has no clue as to how to make a deal.
1
It would be interesting to see how Trump playing the 'nuclear' option of mandating mandatory enforcement of the E-Verify program on all employers (not just those who have been caught hiring illegals) would play out. I suspect it would rapidly force the business community to pressurize both sides to adopt an Eisenhower-style guest worker program to regularize the immigration flows.
3
If GM or any of the coal or steel companies idled 800,000 American workers or forced them to work without pay the government would be in court and/or twitter-dom excoriating the corporate thug tactics; but, let it be the elected leaders of the country and it appears to be OK. Why is that? If then federal government is too big - and arguably it may be since obviously basic services have continued and the public hasn't been to terribly affected - then order a comprehensive review of recent government operations to determine what can really be reduced or eliminated (via attrition, early retirements whatever). But to force people to be idle and others to work for no pay as "volunteers" to quote Chief of Staff Mulvaney is unconscionable and deeply destructive to the longer term stability and effectiveness of the civil service and, ultimately, the nation.
3
At some point, people will just say - 'Clearly the Federal Government doesn't have our interests- we the people- in mind. Let's all organize using Facebook and SnapChat and abandoned this outdated system of government'
I argue the very mechanism of social media technologies that were exploited and abused that 'got' us our first 'digital persona' President, manufactured by Russian Twitter bots? can also be used to organize and revolt.
In Egypt and Iran, hyper-aggressive revolts are suppressed by shutting down the local access to the internet.
However, maybe it's appropriate that people can organize using the same infrastructure that was exploited to give them a fraud as a President to come together and say - it's been 43 days with no Federal Government, we really don't even HAVE to revolt - there is no Federal Government, it's been shut down by choice- by WHIM - by Trump.'
At some people WILL just wake up and not even have to revolt, because the government will have simply been shut down so long ? Makes no difference if it's there or not.
We are probably due to change this entire system. I see the government of Crimea turning to Ethereum block chain for more secure and safe elections.
The United States could seriously use some checks and balances on elections - I mean, the way things are, Russia could probably even manage to market and get someone like Donald Trump elected President, and how scary would that be? Could you imagine the damage he could do?
The Republicans need to have a serious discussion about the fact that a hostile foreign power got them and their president elected so that he could do exactly what he is doing now, which is dismantling the social infrastructure of the US and poisoning US alliances (like NATO). I think historians will see the presidency of DT as the most successful Russian act of aggression against the US up to this point, but it has only been possible with the complicity of the GOP.
12
Why not have the wall. If it fails, the issue is done for and we move on.
@JBT-Sure, if Switzerland will pay for it.
We have more pressing issues that require our tax dollars in the U.S. than a tribute vanity wall to an incompetent, malignant narcissist.
If after this shutdown, any of these furloughed workers vote for Trump in 2020, If possible, I will let them know, in no uncertain terms, that they deserve to have suffered from Trump's shutdown. I am glad to let farmers know my opinion too and to advocate against them receiving any more federal aid.
On the other hand, I wish I knew more laid off federal workers as I'd like to give them some cash and help them in anyway possible.
4
I phoned and wrote Portman, as well as Ohio's Democratic Senator, Sherrie Brown, weeks ago--urging them to help end the shutdown.
Portman's reply said, in part, that he wanted to see legislation that would prevent future shutdowns.
2
It is time the Dems gave their supporters a win. No wall. Trump and the Republicans have to lose on this issue even if it means keeping the government closed for 3 months. Any compromise will be viewed as a betray of voters in the 2018 election. I would bet that far more Trump voters are hurt by this shutdown. They tend to be less wealthy or contractors. Stand your ground. Victory is close. I can smell the fear in their hearts.
3
If border security is the core issue, and not building a wall for the sake of building a wall, why don’t we focus on determining where the border is least secure and how it can be strengthened where it needs to be strengthened, then use that to estimate costs instead of throwing around billion dollar figures and one-dimensional answers like walls. Perhaps building walls is the best solution along some parts of the border, but is wasteful or ineffective along other areas. I would like to see NYT publish some deeper analysis of the problem, because all the solutions offered so far are scarcely substantiated. I’m hardly convinced there is a border “crisis” to begin with, but some detailed analysis might help the case for those who want to convince me otherwise, and would be smart for anyone when trying to propose solutions. Donald Trump simply saying so does not count as reasoned evidence
3
If President Trump could not get the border wall passed when Republicans had both the Senate and the House, can anyone explain why he is so determined now, when the odds are no longer in his favor?
4
If the Republicans wanted Trump’s wall built, they would have passed a bill to fund it a year ago, when they controlled both the Senate and the House. They didn’t. Because they didn’t want the wall. Now it’s a fight with the Democrats, and that gets their political base all excited. And because it’s a fight with the Democrats, the Republicans in Congress don’t have to say no to Trump. They can hide behind Nancy Pelosi’s skirts and let her take the heat. If you look at what has actually happened (not what talking heads have said) there is really no other conclusion. Meanwhile, a million people are not getting paid, a half a million farmers are trying to figure out how to finance the next crop, and the lines at airports are extending into next week.
4
“What we have put on the table is our reputation as legislators, that given three weeks, we’ll come up with a successful conclusion on the border security issue,” said Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland.
Members of the United States Congress have dillydallied for six weeks without finding a politically palatable solution for border security..This is not a statement that inspires confidence.
Why should the public believe that a three-week temporary resumption of the federal government would suffice for negotiations on national security? What happens when the negotiations stall or fail? Shall the economy, the public, and the U.S.'s international reputation be forced to endure a second shutdown in as many months?
A three-week pause of the shutdown, would be just that: postponing the creeping sclerosis in order to slip into bottomless dysfunction. Members of Congress, if they heed their sworn serments to the American people, cannot permit such a paltry and incomplete measure to end the shutdown.
Two years of controlling both chambers of congress and the executive branch, and the only major bill passed by the GOP was a tax cut for the donor class to the tune of $2 TRILLION dollars. The funds being debated for Trump's wall amount to 0.2%, or roughly 1/400 of that tax reduction.
If the wall is so critical to our nation's health and safety, as Trump claims, then why wasn't that considered when he was happily signing and promoting a $2 TRILLION tax cut for the group of Americans who need the least help? I don't remember hearing anything about this wall around that time, do you?
NEVER FORGET exactly who the GOP decided to spend money on, their donors, and who they left hanging in dust, the 800,000 government workers and those who need the services those workers provide.
They gave their donors 400 TIMES the amount of money that is being debated now.
If I were Pelosi I'd tell the GOP that they should find the money by making adjustments to their tax bill. It's only a 0.2% change to the bill, so why not?
The GOP is ruining this country and they need to be stopped, before it's too late. Hopefully that point isn't already behind us, but these days I am not so sure.
9
In line with the sympathies that Trump expressed after Charlottesville, we are now seeing a true Confederate revival.
Think about it.
The Federal workforce is forbidden by law to strike, and therefore forced to work now for no compensation. There are no physical shackles, but the situation offers few solutions other than subservience to the master.
2
While Trump may win in a different sense, I think moderates and Democrats won legislatively. The next step is a veto-proof majority, as I doubt Trump will relent. We still have a long haul.
With the Democratic proposal Trump, in some sense, has already won: Democrats are willing to spend $5.7 on improved border security at the southern border. This means they agree with the premise that the border is not secure. That itself is not true.
1
Emergency or no emergency, it is a felony to order construction to start on a project that was repeatedly turned down by Congress. Moreover Congress making a funding decision is not an emergency. The sad thing is Trump's demand for funding is not even in the Administration's budget request this year. It is just an unplanned political move to increase his popularity. Budgets are supposed to be planned out 5 years in advance.
32
Soon enough the best and brightest will eschew any Government employment if these Shutdowns are allowed to continue. Obviously, the current system of Government funding doesn't work and needs Constitutional restructuring. One idea: automatically keep in place current levels of funding until a consensus is reached with no new bills allowed from either the Executive or Congress until a new budget is passed. Also suspend the pay of both branches and any use of other Government funds for travel or other perches of office, both at the Executive and Congressional level.
In such a manner, the Nancys and Donnys of the world who put their egos ahead of the national interest and the Government's ability to function will be the ones who bear the pain, not the federal workers.
11
This is not about speaker Pelosi’s ego. The right-wing opposition to asylum seekers is unspeakably vile. Evil Trump is using immigrants as straw men in order to distract attention from his serious legal problems. The idled Federal workers are collateral damage. Why should the Democrats give an inch in support of a diversionary ruse by the traitorous Trump?
If this is draining the swamp, I want it re-filled with water.
26
"pressure is mounting in both parties to find a solution"
We are told that it is all the fault of just one. Which one depends on who is talking. It is always the other guy's fault.
Voters are no likely to be fooled by that childish game, nor amused it was done at their expense.
Insiders love themselves as they spout this nonsense, but who are they convincing?
14
@Mark Thomason
If precedent matters any more, the Democratic leaders in the Congress have BOTH voted to spend tens of billions of dollars on the border before.
Now imagine the GOP playing videos of Pelosi and Schumer speeches backing a secure, strong border from years past.
When looking at a government shutdown and asking who is at fault, ask yourself which party is refusing to pass a simple continuing resolution with no strings attached. That is the party which is at fault.
3
Failure as propellant: your Trump mis-administration at (out of) work.
25
The good thing is that the Senate Republicans, with all their talk of support ordinary people, have shown the country through their that THEY are the group holding up progress and keeping the government shutdown. It must be hard for them to swallow their humility as they try to defend trump's poison-pill of a bill...which even they knew was not going anywhere.
The sad thing is that the government is still closed and "real" people are facing real financial suffering because of the vanity of the president and his multimillionaire enablers like Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross who condescendingly stated on Thursday that these workers could try “...borrowing from a bank or credit union..." who are offering "...very, very low-interest-rate loans”. Hmm, thanks for nothing.
The President, his Cabinet enablers, and Senate Republicans need to put down their silver spoons and get out in the world more often. Perhaps they'll meet some of the people whose lives they so cavalierly talk about.
65
@Lalo:
Your closing sentences are spot-on. The only problem is that the GOP members dare not expose themselves to such on-the-ground reality checks -- in utter denial, even they subconsciously realize that the actual economic situation for the majority of their base is simply too far removed from their own cushy Congressional perks to be faced with anything remotely approaching a clear conscious.
(Then again, there exists a significant number who see it all too well, yet simply have swallowed so much of Trump's tripe that they simply feel they're above it all.)
As the Ersatz President is found of saying, " Sad -- "bigly sad" [sic].
“I don’t really quite understand why” those employees are lining up at food banks, Mr. Ross said on CNBC. He suggested they could go to a bank to get a loan to cover lost wages.
O, really, Secretary Ross? And who will compensate loyal American Federal employees, all 800,000-plus of them & their families, when such "banks" offer them loans with interest and penalties -- assuming that such "banks" will offer them loans at all!
This is the Essence of Conservative and Republican economic policy. I stand with President Franklin D. Roosevelt who "welcomed" the hatred of the ultra-wealthy in 1936. I stand with President Harry S. Truman who acutely observed that "banks are happy to lend you money, if you prove you don't need it." He also stated, as a corollary to banks, that "If you want a friend in this world, get a dog."
These 800,000 federal employees represent our Middle and Working Class fellow citizens. You all have heard for decades the Conservative views regarding the Middle Class: they don't want one to exist. You've seen the effects of Republican political legislation and court rulings: they want to destroy the Middle Class and economic mobility for most Americans.
We solemnly declare that Conservatives and Republicans are anti-American in their radical reactionary words and deeds. They would destroy the New Deal, the Square Deal, and every piece of progressive legislation since the Civil War -- and probably before. Never trust a Conservative or a Republican! Never!
117
@Chromatic:
While you muster a good case (FDR, Truman) for your stand, nonetheless extremism is ANY form is toxic, and only serves to enforce and harden ever more extremist thinking.
Between the two major parties, it's a prima facie obvious that the GOP has, overall, moved a great deal to the right over the past several elections. It is a natural, and virtually unavoidable reaction for the Democrats to respond in kind.
These dynamics obviously serve none except those holding positions of power.
Consequently, presumably on the left of center (as am I), you extolling the extremist stance of "Never trust Republicans! Never!" only reinforces, and widens the appalling gap that has grown in our nation's citizenry. In less time than one would imagine, this vilification of one another will lead to the unraveling our country.
Rome fell; don't fool yourself into thinking the U.S. is immune to the same collapse from within, thanks to the ever louder, corrosive yelling at one another.
if we are to save ourselves, we need to cease yelling and start listening, without prejudice, for a change.
"Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader ... was among those arguing that it should never have occurred ... " A poster boy for chutzpah. Mr. McConnell is the greatest power abuser ever. No hearing for President Obama's SCOTUS nominee with a year left in the presidential term, while fast tracking Mr. Kavanaugh's nomination. And no votes for anything Mr. Trump did not pre-approve.
118
This has never been about a wall 45 could have had it anytime in the 2 years
The failed GOP controlled all branches of govt
This is pure political posturing for the rapidly dwindling # of true believers in advance of the tough political landscape trump and the failed GOP face going forward.
Biggest unintended consequences : the negative blowback for the failed presidrnt from the public
And Nancy Pelosi eating him alive
67
This could be solved quickly if president Ann Coulter gives her permission.
74
Rent and mortgage payments? Buying food and gas? Car payments? Self absorbed dictators don’t care.
45
I'd like to know when Manchi will officially declare himself either an Independent or a Republican.
A Democrat, he is not. And he has proven it time and again.
34
Yes, back to the drawing board.
Susan Collins has shown her flipflop as before. I hope she is defeated in 2020.
Joe Manchin too needs to go. Better to have an honest enemy than a duplicitous friend. All he cares about is his personal fortune, like his daughter, the CEO of the company that raised the price of EpiPen through the roof.
56
The fact that a CR of less than 30 days during the longest shutdown in history didn’t pass 100-0 is emblematic of the real crisis in this country—an unfit president incapable of governing,
44
Hey Dems, (Wo)Man up. Don't cave now. Trump has manufactured a crisis supported by no one other than unthinking Breitbart/Fox-fed automatons. If you let him win his little temper tantrum of attrition, you lose the support you desperately need to win the White House in 2020. Yes, it's terrible for the government and the federal workforce. But we're already there--no turning back now. Nothing short of NO WALL is defeat.
48
Well that Constitutional step is over.
And now all Americans know each GOP Senator that went on the record as being anti-government, if there was any doubts prior to the ‘clean’ short term Bill they defeated to open The Public’s Government for a couple of weeks not a particular party’s.
That is outrageous!
I hope the general public recognizes they wanted to negotiate whether or not our government should be opened. Majority Legislators almost 100% GOP’ers don’t want the government fully operational.
So is the GOP base anti democracy and law if so what do they want in its replace? Communism? The President’s campaign promise! In other words his promise is more important than Constitutional governance? Not to mention no pay for ‘some’ federal workers and a degradation in federal government services: security and procedural integrity et.al..
I recall from U.S. history that such behaviors by politicians was met by severe in their face public scorn and ridicule. Because their actions were a breach of their fiduciary duties. Maybe the GOP with their Hastert, ALEC, gerrymandering, Federlists, News, CU & so on are really trying to destroy this nation. This is not alternate fact. Why have they done these foolishly undemocratic things? What’s their end game?????
Something is really wrong with The GOP and I hope its not contagious!
20
@Samuel Owen
“What’s their end game?” Perhaps, The GOP doesn’t have one. Instead maybe their undemocratic actions have been more akin to those of an ongoing criminal enterprise.
Whereby, a legitimate organization like our governments offer many, many, many opportunities to skim, stage and enrich Organizational leaders. Public property leasing, public contract and bid fixing, private disclosures before public ones like stock and investment tips, sympathetic law officials etc. etc.
Some Government officials historically have been found guilty of such criminality. So this would be no surprise as a group possibility for individuals in leadership regardless of party. However the solidarity of Republicans is extraordinary! They have immensed great and increasing power by money and influence using private formal ancillary groups to diminish individual democractic oversight and secure secrets.
Having 200 to a 1000 loyalists as organizational leaders is adequate to control a government of various sizes. As long as they are compromised or rewarded satisfactory. The other 100 thousands more are merely subordinates doing their jobs innocently.
Under ‘old’ Civil Service Rules; cronyism, nepotism and the appearance of insider dealings in government was a no no. What happened?
2
What employer, other than the federal government, can require their employees to work without pay?
31
@rebop Private industry does it all the time. Get hired for a 40 hour week job but are required to work 60 hours with no compensation for that extra 20 or more hours a week.
14
@Pdeadline Nope.
There's a difference between a salary where one does what needs to be done vs. - hourly ees. agreeing to 40 hours a week for hourly pay.
Whereas govt. ees. are to work ALL hourly-paid or salaried positions with NO pay.
17
Something has to happen! Something has to be done!
The core teams from both parties need to go offsite somewhere, away from distractions, and work through it day and night until they have a viable proposal. No one will be perfectly happy and everyone will be relieved.
Go. Do. Your. Job!
13
Both bills are designed to fail. They are just a front to save the Republicans face. Now, Democrats control the agenda, the president is going backwards claiming he has options that aren’t there. Finally, he is folding his cards, saying I could have won if I want to.
19
Apparently 6 Republicans and 1 Democrat voted for BOTH plans. But I don't get it. I don't see how that helps either "side". What was the point of doing that?
5
Maybe it’s a “just open the government” vote.
I do not know how this is not a major national strike moment. In any other country the government not paying its workers would bring the whole country to a standstill.
15
I heard a wall will cost a total of 20 billion. If they do get their 5.7 billion, how long before they start demanding the other 14.3 billion?Don’t forget this.
41
Exactly. $5.7 billion is only a down payment. Some estimates went as high as $60-70 billion for the whole thing - and that didn't include the millions for maintenance.
23
The best part of the wall debate is...the closest plants for mixing concrete to our southern border are actually in Mexico. So, much of the wall would be built with cement we buy from companies in Mexico. And the same is true for labor to build Trump’s Wall. There are more workers closer to the border on the southern side of the border. Priceless.
2
It is almost certain that President Trump shall not budge from his Wall agenda, Republicans simply can not forsake their core base.
Appearing tough first to Trump has helped Democrats consolidate the left flank. Perhaps now, as adverse impact of shutdown becomes more telling, appearing rational and reasonable could make working class men who turned Trump voter, particularly in Mid-West, return back.
The winning option for Democrats is to relent and give money for the wall; however the context and timing got to be done right.
7
@two cents: so, when he demands cuts to Social Security or he'll shut the government, your advice will be just to give in? Like a toddler. once he learns that bad behavior works, he'll try it again and again.
If Trump wants money for a wall, he can negotiate it using the normal legislative process.
52-44 for the Democratic Party proposal. 50-47 for the Republican Party proposal. In a Republican-controlled Senate, the opposition party's proposal fared better, in both vote margin (8 vs. 3), and in total votes cast "Aye" (52 vs. 50).
Sounds like the better deal is obvious to everyone...
31
Time for McConnell to resign. In the current reality, the only person I see who can bring this Senate together and with a sliver of hope ... our for country is Mitt Romney. A rational pragmatic Governor in Mass. I hope he steps up in this time of need with support from sane Republicans.
17
Aside from the FACT that 90% of drug traffic is coming though the 'offical' portals, in cars and trucks, and that a "wall" will have ZERO effect on THAT traffic; why is nobody talking about how the $6Bn ransom will only START the wall? If somehow Trump gets his ransom, he still needs at least $30Bn MORE if he wants to make a WHOLE wall. So will he get that by making another shutdown happen. over and over? Or maybe he'll just keep declaring a fictional "national emergency" each time HIS wall needs a paint job?
28
If and when Trump stands before Congress and the American people for his State of the Union Address, I expect to see him and his self-serving peers wearing lapel pins that say “We don’t care. We don’t have to.”
There is no decency or “compassionate conservatism” when Republicans are willng to inflict pain on the innocent majority of voters who don’t want the wall built. But that’s Mitch’s M.O., just like he still intends to repeal the affordable care act even though a majority of Americans want it.
23
I pay my taxes to support this government. As part of the new tax code can I pro-rate my tax obligations to reflect the now 34 days the government is not operating? That would only be fair since I'm currently being taxed for nothing.
32
Republicans! "You don't have the votes!," as the musical Hamilton has it, for making new legislation a condition of opening back up the government. So do the right thing and open up the government NOW, so that negotiations on legislation can proceed in a Constitutional way. Anything else dishonors yourselves and our nation.
20
It is impossible not to conclude that the nation would be better off without Trump and McConnel and their supporters. I wish it was possible to conclude that some Republican senators are starting to grasp that simple fact.
17
We have an inexperienced president who does not understand the legislative process and does not have the skills to resolve this impasse. Take a look at history and see how LBJ was able to break a Southern filibuster and shepherd through the Civil Rights Act. President Trump, for all the boasting about his "deals," does not have what it takes to negotiate and open the government. He looks weak, not strong, and history will judge him accordingly.
And speaking of weak, Mitch McConnell appears to be feeble, in that he does not understand the difference between legislative and executive branches. We should deprive these lawmakers of their salaries until an agreement is reached. What does it take? A national crisis for our elected leaders to act?
29
McConnell is helping Trump on a LOT of Russian issues. We know Trump is a Russian agent. Is McConnell? Is that why this shutdown is happening and the Senate isn't doing anything to help? Has our Senate been compromised by the Russians too?
25
I just watched The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, the old one with Walter Matthau.
The bad guys in it take over a NY City subway train and demand a million bucks for releasing their hostages.
Trump just took over the whole country for no reason at all and is
holding all of us as hostages.
It’s too bad Walter Matthau is around anymore to save us.
The Republican Party sure isn’t gonna do it.
10
Make that:
It’s too bad Walter Matthau isn't around anymore to save us.
4
It’s tough for me to see the point of the existence of US federal government. All it does is shamelessly grab money from millions of people only to spend it recklessly on wars that create tensions and misery on Earth.
Congress is owned by corporations that destroy the environment with carcinogens and destroy the health of the people with dangerous pharmaceuticals. Government agencies intended to protect the people and the land are now held captive by industry for the sake of profits at any expense.
And we have a complete egomaniac as President, a man who hasn’t got the slightest grip on reality—which is also true for most of Congress.
And to think what might have been, had just a faint coloration of compassion and empathy swept over the land...
7
How about using that money on health care and much needed education spending so we stop churning out these low information republicans? What happened to infrastructure spending? I guess the wall is considered infrastructure spending to a republican..
15
Russia installed a U.S. President who is actively working to bring down our system of government. It's that simple. If the Senate doesn't act, the coup is complete.
19
Maybe it is just an illusion that it exists, this system of "checks and balances," but I hope it makes an appearance in the Senate. These elected occupants who are part of the government " for and by the people" - just need to plain do their job! The one that sits in the Oval Office is beyond reprehensible.
7
The lobbyists are getting impatient, do any of you know what very controversial bills are in this re- opening the government farce
1
This was all kabuki theater from McConnell. Everyone knew that neither of these will pass.
5
The Senate must return to majority rule but ending the practice of simulated debates that must be closed by 60 votes. Return to real filibusters and see what happens. Real cloture requires real senators speaking until they drop.
9
Dear NYT:
Now is the time for Democrats to bargain for a victory that will actually align with our ideals.
Pelosi should offer Trump a large chunk of his wall money -- including some portion for non-wall enhanced border security -- in exchange for permanent relief for the dreamers and the "temporary" refugees. This is doable.
Pelosi's demand to first re-open the government is already crumbling, and the Ds are preparing a counter to Trump that will include as much as $6 billion for non-wall funding.
If there is "no crisis" at the border, why "waste" all this money for nothing?
Merely reopening the government, and declaring a defeat over Trump, is also an empty victory. This is not leadership, but mere politics.
Do a deal that helps real people.
Do it now.
108
@Jorge Pelosi should not give in to blackmail. What's to stop Trump shutting down the government again to get his way? He turned down a lot more money for the wall because it dealt with DACA recipients and offered them a way towards citizenship (thanks to President Steven Miller). No, Trump needs to be treated like a child with a temper tantrum whenever he doesn't get his way otherwise he'll just do it again and again.
Notice that he actually caved on the SOTU and hasn't resorted to name calling of Nancy Pelosi like he has others. It's because she stands up to him and projects the power she holds and lets him know she is not intimidated by his childish behavior. If she gives in, all is lost.
114
@Jorge It is not an empty victory. It is a matter of taming a beast. Campaign rhetoric does not need to cost the lives of 800,000 people going without pay. To create a wall that says what? Keep out. We no longer welcome people of color. It does not need to be an issue of giving in to unreasonable demands. Trump is the president of a great country. This isn’t a business deal. He wants a monument to preserve an ugly part of who we once were and a lot of us don’t want to go back.
79
@Jorge The big part of the bill bothering some Dems is the earmark regarding asylum. With the chsnge in this bill, people will have to apply for asylum from their own country, as opposed to applying at the border. That process will be stopped. They would also need to have one parent that has legal status in the US to be eligible. Who do you think this bill is disproportionately directed at?
32
Speaker Pelosi said “no” to a down payment on the wall. This Trump shutdown is fundamentally about inflicting pain on millions of Americans to push through a minority agenda and it cannot be allowed to prevail.
I further suggest that any bill opening the government must now include Mark Warner’s amendment to prevent lapses in government funding ever occurring again.
I encourage everyone to read Greg Sargent’s column in the Post today ”There is only one way to break Trump’s pathology. Pelosi has found it.” No false equivalence, we need to compromise, baloney stuff from this columnist.
13
The GOP controlled senate is obviously doing a Mcconnell move, look can't say we didn't do anything! The next best hope is Pelosi holding firm on the SOTU, no deal, no TV! Dems 5.7B for border security is good for me.
1
We know what Trump wants - a wall. But what the Democrats want? What is their alternative solution? Both parties agree that there is a problem but unless the Democrats start to broadcast their vision Trump will control the narrative it can hurt the Democrats for years.
I know it's possible to search and puzzle together their idea for a solution, but how many people do that?
4
@Truthseeker: Democrats want the government reopened at current budget levels, including $1.3B for border security upgrades. At that point, Trump can make his case for a wall and negotiate for the money by offering Democrats what they want, including DACA, more immigration judges and beefed up legal crossing inspections. That is how laws are made in this country, not by taking 800,000 hostages.
2
Trump is the one who will not budge. Dems have been proposing alternatives but trump wants the monument to his insecurity, period.
I can’t wait for 2020 to vote for Democrats. I hope every Republican gets voted out. 2018 will lool good to Republicans , after 2020. They start expanding Gerrymandering now, because they are going to get another shellacking.
6
@Fausto Alarcón
I cannot wait either. I hope the country sends the democrats a strong message about their party under Speaker Pelosi. Just like they did last time she did this.
After all democrats except for one rejected Trump's proposed bill which included 5.7 billion dollars towards the wall Donald Trump made the following statement on camera.
"In fact I see a lot of the democrats are all...almost all of them breaking...saying look...walls are good, walls are good."
There are only two choices here, either Mr. Trump is literally delusional or just continues to play the long con on the American people. Either choice illuminates just how unworthy he is to hold this office.
Regarding the federal workers he shared that "...many of these people that are not getting paid are totally in favor of what we're doing."
Maybe Sarah Sanders will later share what polling company established that claim...or not.
15
Withhold 2 of Sarah’s paychecks and see how in favor she is.
If only they had voted on the same bills they passed just last month. Planned failure for press facade.
4
The votes show that Republicans care more about saving face for Donald Trump than they do for the plight of the 800,000 federal workers and the crippling of our economy. Voters won't forget this in the next election. The Republican Party is on its way to becoming an extinct species.
23
When the leader of a Country has lost touch with
Reality
What happens ?
7
Please confirm rumor that all Government employees in Trump and Kushner apartments can, without penalty, delay payments until Government is reopened.
9
Traveling everywhere and every week, it breaks my heart to see how hard the government employees work day in and day out. Only to serve, but go home with an empty hand. It is so disappointing how governing bodies can't get their act together and let so many people suffer.
7
I suggest a way out of this. Dems more than split the difference in money (maybe agreeing to $4 billion) focused on "enhancing border security", including some added barriers (i.e. "including added wall infrastructure"), with Pelosi saying they agree with Trump's goal that enhanced border security is what he really wants to accomplish with his "wall" . Yet, Dems funding bill mostly supports steps that experts explain will do a better job securing the border (technology, more border agents, more judges, more scanning of vehicles, etc.), thereby "accomplishing what the president seeks". That way Trump can claim (to satisfy his ego) that Dems moved more in his direction, while Dems can actually get what they've always promoted in terms of border security methods. By the time a close evaluation of this compromise finds that Dems got more of what they wanted than the "wall" Trump initially said he wanted, the govt will have been open and returning to solid functioning. Trump and Fox News will ignore that expert evaluation anyway and claim to have scored a victory over Pelosi.
4
Actually both measure would have passed, one by 50-47 votes and one by 52-44 votes, but the Senate invoked the unconstitutional 60-Vote Rule to quash both bills. The Constitution provide that all measures excect treaty confirmations, impeachments and constitutional amendments require only a simple minority, but political party hacks devised the 60-Voter Rule to enhance the power of the minority party. Under the rule, 60-votes are needed to close debate. The Senate majority leader should have used the nuclear option to override the 60-vote rule.
7
@William Case
Facts are stubborn things, they won't go away unless you ignore them. The 60 vote rule is not unconstitutional, just controversial when you want your way.
Article I, section 5 of the Constitution, the Rules and Proceedings Clause, states that each House may determine the rules of its proceedings. In 1975 the Senate itself changed the then existing two-thirds cloture rule of 67 votes to three-fifths or 60 votes.
The so called nuclear option of a simple majority vote is not the Constitutional norm but a parliamentary "trick", first used in 2013 long after the Constitution was written, that has come back to bite both parties as power inevitably changes hands over time.
So the Senate today did not "invoke" the 60 vote rule as you stated, it is the established Senate procedure.
4
@Mr. Bantree
Yes. But it doesn't say that each chamber may devise rules that override the Constitution. Any parliamentary rule that bars senators or representatives from introducing legislations and bringing it to a vote is unconstitutional. Any parliamentary devise that requires more votes to pass legislation than the number specified by the Constitution is unconstitutional. If this weren't so, the Senate could impose a 100-vote rule.
5
@William Case
The Constitution does NOT define how many votes are needed to pass legislation in either the Senate or the House. Again, those rules are established by both branches of Congress.
If there were sufficient agreement in the Senate to change the rules to require a 100 vote rule they could do that under our Constitution but of course they won't but they know that would be beyond impractical.
"Any parliamentary rule that bars senators or representatives from introducing legislations and bringing it to a vote is unconstitutional."
You have just described what Mitch McConnell has done several times by refusing to bring Bills introduced by democrats to the Senate floor for a vote. He is therefore guilty of unconstitutional actions then according to your misunderstanding of the Constitution.
2
It is to be hoped that Democrats in Congress continue resisting the temptation to cave in (as they have usually done over the past two decades). The Republican blackmail tactics in this instance are indefensible. States may need to step into hire Federal workers unable to work and to restore public service.
At any rate, it is way past due for the House of Representatives to start the process of impeaching the most crooked, corrupt and reckless president in American history.
10
It’s baffling that Trump has chosen adding new sections of southern border wall and making other sections taller, the “hill he wants to die on”. Does he truly want pieces of concrete and metal to be his lasting legacy? Compare this to the defining achievements of nearly every other President: Ending slavery; Women’s vote; New Deal; Civil Rights; opening China and the USSR, ADA; ACA and many other ground-breaking wins. Yet Trump is going all in on some landscaping in places few people see. it definitely shows how unfit he is to lead the Free World.
12
We now know a majority of Republican senators are officially party ahead of country, no matter the cost. They just voted down the exact agreement that passed the Republican controlled Senate by voice vote in December. They've already demonstrated they don't have any actual problem with the language of the bill, as they already voted for it. But their shameless partisanship is going to continue to inflict needless harm on the American populace (both federally employed and not).
At this point, I can only imagine Republicans are continuing the shutdown because if they pass a clean CR they are admitting they could have reopened the government on January 3rd. McConnell is one of the most craven individuals I'm aware of. He alone bears the bulk of the blame for breaking the US government in his shameless quest for partisan power.
16
Trump thinks he can walk away from the government as he does from a real estate deal. That's not how it works, especially when people's livelihood is at stake as well as safety of Americans in general.
9
Trump now wants to declare a national emergency and steal funds Congress allocated for other things. Trump is not a Dictator. This plan will not get the wall built;it will be tied up in court for decades after Trump goes to jail. Ray Sipe
4
Sometimes hostage taking works. It’s working now. We need to take the threat to the air transportation system seriously. This game has to end. Now. Give Trump what he wants. It’s no longer a victory for him. It’s the Democrats putting the public safety above Trump.
3
@Patrick You can't give in to him otherwise he'll do it over and over again. Nancy Pelosi is the first person to stand up to Trump and not be intimidated by his childish temper tantrums. Notice who blinked when it came to the SOTU. Notice that he also hasn't resorted to name calling of Pelosi like he has everyone else (democrats and republicans alike). If she caves on this and he gets his way, he'll lose all respect for her.
12
@Patrick
NO.
It only works if we let it work. If there aren't enough able to work without being paid, then we should be closing airports and canceling flights. And we should start with every location that Senators who won't vote for the original compromise bill live.
12
@Patrick. It is Trump who is endangering public safety by refusing to sign a simple CR.
You position would reward the most irrational side in any negotiations.
3
it is a brilliant idea to print the voting of the politics, the public can now make them and Trunp accountable, for not doing enough to open the government.
1
This isn't going anywhere. It's time for the people to take action. If every furloughed federal worker walked out of their jobs right this second, this shutdown is history. “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
4
Two obvious things to point out:
1. What’s different about the southern border (contrasted with, say, a year ago) that makes this an emergency now?
2. Isn’t a campaign pledge funded without tax dollars fundamentally different from one paid for by U.S. tax payers?
11
When there is a human disaster and thousands protesting, the two faced Republicans who originally voted to keep the government operating will decide that its time to stop protecting Mr. Trump. They, through Mr. McConnell, will finally live up to their original deal. If Mr. Trump vetoes the legislation, the Congress can override the veto. That’s about the only face-saving avenue open for Mr. Trump - and the only way the Republicans can remain viable for 2020. Dump Trump has to start now. He can no longer be allowed to hold a gun to the heads of the American people.
8
As federal workers continue to go without pay, a completely out-of-touch Trump declares that he is the reason the U.S. needs a wall. He suggested since he has done such a great job with the country, everyone wants to come here. At times this seems like a story from an alternate universe's comic book featuring a demented Richie Rich!
6
With three or four senators passing on the opportunity to make an important decision it just shows the cynicism and fecklessness of "public servants." Senators, you're elected by the people to do a job, not take extended lunch breaks.
Shameful indeed.
1
"The House took separate action on Thursday to pass legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security through Feb. 28, with all but five Republicans voting “no.”"
So the Republicans really don't care about our security, do they?
8
The Democrats are being quite reasonable here. They shouldn’t give in to bullying.
9
The House should take the Democratic bill and pass it tomorrow. Make Trump veto it.
2
Why not the banks step in to help out the American federal workers? After all, it was the American workers whose tax dollars help bailed the banks? Anyone remember the bailout out financed by the people’s tax dollars? They showed their gratitude by giving themselves bonuses and forfeiting many owners’ homes. Banks and your likes who benefited from the bailout courtesy of the working people’s tax dollars, now is a good time to redeem yourselves.
7
Some banks have. O% loans equal to your paycheck. But not the big banks, mostly the local and regional credit unions that have the opportunity to look their customer in the eye.
Is Trump’s shutdown part of the Russian plan to weaken our democracy? Thoughts...
8
So Republicans rejected a plan they overwhelmingly supported by voice vote a month ago? Apparently the tail wags the dog. Republicans only support legislation if the President also supports it. Not sure that's what the founders intended. They headline after today's vote should be - "Hypocrisy Prevails" or "GOP on Record Valuing Party over Country."
7
I hope Congress enjoys their long, paid weekend. See you next week!
1
How about taking the pay checks away from Congress and see how fast things get settled.
7
52 to 44.
The department by department House bills are pure budget. Majority wins. Hence why Mitch won't let them get to the Senate floor.
Because the Prez would be stripped of cover, showing he is the naked (evil) Emperor of the Shut Down...
Good work, Mitch!
1
Good to see them working for a change. What comes next is critical: will they keep at it? or bow to the dictatorial whims of this POTUS who so far, refuses to negotiate. Walking out; offering a fake deal; lying and propaganda - do not count. The rule of law needs to re-established - and as quickly as possible.
121
@Carolyn C-Agreed. I would also ask what does it serve Republicans who voted "yes" in favor of both the Trump plan and the Democrats' plan? Also the senators who sat it out and opted not to vote. This is either playing it safe or a dereliction of duty, or both.
3
@Carolyn C Oh please. Elected officials work constantly . . . even the ones I disagree with and even despise. They are among the hardest working people on the planet. Mind you, that does not mean they deserve sympathy, but if you think the problem with our politics is that people aren't working hard enough, then . . . well . . . . you haven't been paying attention to what ails us. What ails us is actually. . . um . . . us.
Progress. Republican Susan Collins voted for both bills. The number of Republicans willing to vote for any halfway reasonable bill which opens the government is likely to increase as time goes on.
Let's just hope that time doesn't have to go on for too long. For one thing, 800,000 government workers are not receiving paychecks. The government shutdown is unfair to them.
And the government shutdown represents a failure to negotiate, which is after all the job Congress was elected to do.
Yes, the wall is only a symbol. It will be less effective than other measures. But suppose Democrats offered $3 billion for a wall and got the government open.
Then they could proceed to the issue of impeachment. Trump might not survive long enough to actually spend the money.
Conviction in the Senate will require negotiation and compromise. Why not get used to that now?
3
@Jake Wagner ... before the mid-term elections Trump had a Republican House & Senate ... did he ask for $5.7 Billion for a "WALL" from the Republicans then? NO!
Now he wants the Democrats to do what his party (the Republicans) wouldn't. And didn't he say Mexico would pay for the wall?
9
$3 billion for the wall wouldn't be the worst thing as long as 1) no new funds to pay for acquisition of new property, and 2) no construction of any wall where there is not currently some kind of existing barrier that Trump wants to upgrade. All that in exchange for an agreement not to bring up the subject for the next two years.
1
As a Republican - I was interested in the vote count
With 53 senators - Republican bill got 50 votes.
Two Republicans voted no (Sens Cotton and Lee) and two abstained ( Sens Rand Paul and Risch) - their votes understandable as all four are considered libertarians.
So, Republicans got just one vote from Democrats - that is of Sen Manchin.
While the Democrat Plan got a solid 6 votes from Republicans - including the junior senator from Utah - Sen Romney.
To me, that says it all.
The Republicans want to negotiate but not the Democrats.
It takes two to negotiate; though I know Madame Speaker wants POTUS and Republicans to negotiate down to their proposal.
It ain't gonna happen.
35
@Neil The thing you've omitted is this: "The defeated [Democratic] measure is similar to one the Senate approved unanimously in December, only to see Mr. Trump reject it and the House cancel a planned vote on it. Republican views in the Senate have shifted dramatically since then to reflect the president’s." The GOP held the Senate in December and holds 2 additional seats now, so the same party who voted for it in December voted against it this time because Trump said they should. What an abrogation of separation of powers.
246
@Neil
Both of them (republicans and democrats) want to negotiate. The only problem is Trump and his wall.
62
@Neil - What the votes show is, the Republicans are putting party ahead of country and violating their oaths of office. Not to mention, government funding is not the place to blackmail the American people for new expenditures, but that is exactly what Trump and his lemmings in the Senate are doing.
101
Why can't they draw up a bill to at least fund backpay to the essential employees? Who would vote against that? This is verging on apocalyptic.
10
@Slumpy the Younger This was voted on - even non essential employees will get back pay. Those who are federal employees, anyway. Contractors, who vastly outnumber federal employees, will not, alas.
4
@Slumpy the Younger
They did pass that bill - when there is a budget, they will be paid.
Paying them now requires a budget, and Trump is holding the budget hostage, with his accomplice McConnell, who won't bring any bill to a vote even, unless Trump says yes.
4
@SusanStoHelit Yes, I'm aware of the backpay bill that was passed, but I mean pass another bill to give them their backpay now. I can't imagine anyone in Congress would vote against that, but I CAN imagine McConnell not allowing the vote to even take place.
2
As I watched the live Senate votes come in via the New York Times website, I was sitting at my desk at our local small town food bank where I am the executive director.
At the exact same time, right outside my door, a special food distribution for our local Coast Guard personnel was taking place.
20
As a moderate Democrat I just want to point out that every Senate Democrat but 3 voted to give Trump 25 billlion in Boarder Wall funding just last year. The bill ultimately failed as Republicans didn’t want to support DACA, but if the Republicans compromise I don’t see why 5 billion for wall funding is a sticking point if Democrates already supported 25 billion, which is 5x the amount Trump is asking for. Both sides need to stop being stubborn and sign a compromise to open the government.
6
@Paul The big difference is that government was not shut down at that point to extract concessions from Democrats. The bill you refer to was the result of good faith negotiation but Trump abandoned THAT agreement as well and it was going nowhere in the House. The Senate bill on 19th December was also a result of compromise and yet again Trump reneged on the agreement and the Republican-controlled House rebelled leading to this shutdown. The context is important.
11
The Constitution provides that all measures that come before the Senate are to be settled by a simple majority vote with the exception of treaty confirmations, impeachments and constitutional amendments. Vice President Pence should do his job as President of the Sensate and declare the Republican measure approved by a vote of 52-44.
The Constitution permits Congress to make its own parliamentary rules, but not rules the contradiction the Constitution. The 60-voter Rule should be declared unconstitutional. The purpose of the 60-Party Rule is to enhance the power of political party hacks, but the Constitution gives political parties no role in government. The Democrats and Republicans are not supposed too be part of the constitutional checks and balances system. .
3
@William Case
I assume, then, that you agree the government should be reopened on the basis of the 52-44 majority vote? And that you're referring to Art. I, Sec. 5, which states that "a Majority of each [House] shall constitute a Quorum to do business." Your point is fundamental. Do you know whether the 60 vote rule has ever been tested in court? If not, I'm wondering why not, and it may be, as you say, that the party hacks have unconstitutionally taken over the process.
2
@William Case
Well said. Kudos!
However, during the Age of Trump and McConnell well-stated explainations of individual provisions contained in our national constitution are often ignored by those seated to the right side of the main aisle in both the house and senate. They seem to only resort to using the constitution when doing so gives them an advantage.
And EVERYTHING in the constitution is news to the president. He has obviously never read the document and appears disinclined to do so now or in the future. (Attention span of an ice cube.)
Note:
If you’re a Republican who disagrees with this comment, would you please begin your rebuttal with,
“When President Obama nominated Merrick Garland...”
5
@N
Actually both measure would have passed, one by 50-47 votes and one by 52-44 votes. Both would go to the president, who could sign one and veto the other.
2
The Republicans insist on linking reopening the government with a bill to build the Wall. I have not found in their statements a compelling reason to oppose reopening the government by itself without a Wall clause.
In short, the Republicans aim to threaten unemployment of nearly a million Federal workers to get what they want. ("Do as I say, and no one will get hurt.") If the Democrats yield to them this time, then the Republicans will use this cudgel again. That is tyranny, not democracy.
Innocent workers are being harmed. This is unnecessary. Reopen the government with no strings attached. The Wall debate can come afterward, and not shutting down the government again.
15
also keeping in mind that the Republican majority leader represents 1 per cent of Americs and yet has as stranglehold on what the Senate can vote on. The Republican Majority of 53 received many millions fewer votes than the Democratic "minority"
3
At some point, if Trump doesn't yield, Mitch McConnell--who was so proud of denying Barack Obama a Supreme Court justice--will have to bite the big one, swallow his pride, and override Trump's veto. The system of check and balances is there for a reason, and McConnell is the only reason it is not working right now.
15
"The defeated measure is similar to one the Senate approved unanimously in December, only to see Mr. Trump reject it and the House (McConnell was the leader back then) cancel a planned vote on it."
This observation puts responsibility for the current impasse right where it belongs - on Trump and a spineless GOP which prefers to support Trump even more than they did then.
13
He’s very much afraid of war zones. That much we know. But not of being under the protection of a Secret Service detail not being paid. He does not care about their mortgages, tuition payments and financial hardship. Why?
8
Our Congress is all about failure. Why do we pay taxes?
As for me I pay taxes so that federal employees get a financial reward for their services from which we all benefit.
Well that's not happening.
I'd rather get mugged ( non violently of course). At least my money would go to the desperately needy.
I live in New England. I wish we were a separate country. The former Yugoslavia is a great model for us... except for the horrendous violence. We can separate into several countries peacefully.
And speaking of peace the world would be a lot safer if our horrid empire were to dissolve.
5
Now trump wants a down payment for his wall just to temporarily increase negotiation time? As if!
Democrats should counter with the entire $5.7 billion amount held in escrow (Swiss bank?) pending the outcome of the 2020 election.
7
Both House and Senate should pass a bill that would fund the entire federal government fully for one-year without any specific allocation for a trump wall, but increase funding for all border security services and measures by 10 percent for 2019.
1
Let's give credit to the six Republican Senators (Collins, Murkowski, Gardner, Alexander, Isakson, Romney) who crossed the aisle to vote for the Democratic measure to re-open the government. And let's also note that one Democratic Senator (Machin) chose to vote for Trump's proposal.
7
It's too bad that the founding fathers did not know that you can't have any kind of government unless it's entirely bound by physical structures. We might even be able to fix this oversight if it weren't for the Louisiana purchase.
Thanks, Jefferson.
3
There should be no surprise at the continuing impasse. The Republicans have displayed an affinity to wars since the 1860's in which they sacrifice our fellow Americans to the monuments of their glory. If they so easily throw American lives away, there should be no surprise they would sacrifice 800,000 government workers. They are the party of chaos led now by the ultimate King of chaos, Don Trump.
2
How ironic that we are penalizing the 800,000 U.S. tax paying federal workers over an immigration issue.
5
It would be the democrats fault but;
1) Trump did say he’d shut the government down and he’d take the blame for it, and not blame the democracts ...all caught on tape.
2) The republicans had both chambrds, with 40 more reps for 2 full years. He could have forced their hands, maybe with a shutdown then but no he didn’t. As soon as the democrats took control, a shutdown for a wall occurred.
3) Trump was offered money for the wall before. He had 20 billion for wall but he declined to accept it. Then 5.7 billion, he declined it. And 1.3 billion and he declined it. All because he wants his way and not give democrats something in return. Fact is, it’s a two part system by design, compromise is what the forefathers had envisioned.
4) The senate republicans passed a bill to open the government, the bill passed by a huge majority, republicans supported it, and he refused to sign it. Now the repubs do not support their own bill.
5) Polls show that the president is blamed more than democrats. The wall is hugely unpopular and his poll numbers have tanked since the shut down.
6) The house democracts passed the same bill, the senate passed, to open the government. Trump and Mitch wouldn’t allow it to be law because they don’t want the government open.
Fact is, Trump attitude is “my way or the high way”. Democracts found themselves in this predicament, as soon as they walked in. By every measure, the shutdown is Trumps and republicans fault. He said he’d shut it down! And so he did.
13
Some Republican senators supported the Dem sponsored bill. Trump and Mitch need to worry and listen to the growing opposition to this Trump Shut-down and end this fiasco. Playing to the fanatic base would lead Trump and his party nowhere in 2020.
5
Since Republicans opened this can of worms Democrats should now not only not fund the wall no one wants they should demand ‘single payer health care’ as a condition for their votes to reopen the government.
5
the amazing thing to me is how, with 1/2 hold on 1/3 of the gov't, or 1/6, that the Democrats act like they in in an equal footing on power. This treatment is just more of the same begun with W, then Obama, neither party likes anything the other party puts out there, and unless you ramrod, like the ACA was, you will get nowhere waiting for a bipartisan bill for anything.
2
I see that you placed it in the second paragraph, but there is not enough emphasis in this story, or almost any other in the media these days, pointing out that the bill most republicans are voting against is virtually the same one they voted for 6 weeks ago. Trump was ready to sign it until the triple headed right wing TV hacks threatened him.
As to Shoofly's comment, why would anyone agree to partially fund something that would not work even if you fully funded it? The democrats are right to stay together and to continue to be open to discussing real border security, not a pie in the sky absurdity like a wall.
14
Let's state the situation clearly:
Trump and McConnell want to hold 800,000 federal employees hostage to get $5.7 billion for a border wall. Democrats will not negotiate while 800,000 federal employees are being held hostage.
Dems seem to have the strongest argument, and one most aligned with the stated policy of our government, which is: We do not negotiate with hostage takers.
11
I am with my fellow Americans. We do not like being held hostage in order for the KING to get what he wants. He has never gone hungry in his life. Last time I checked, we were a Democracy. Federal workers need to unite - no pay, no work!
We are behind you and will protest with you across the country. If this government gives in to these demands - we will see many more shutdowns! This is NOT DEMOCRACY!
6
Compare the response from Speaker Pelosi regarding negotiating a value-respecting way to protect American border security using technology and other intelligent, cost effective options versus Trump's child-like response for his "wall". He has held our nation hostage long enough and the Republicans who support this man's single- minded demand deserve to be blamed for this mess that has devastated our country. Enough.
10
@Betsy
have seen no meaningful immigration legislation in over 20 years. Where has Nancy been all this time? Including 2007-2009, when getting their way was was easy. Why nothing then? Was no one to stop them. They have no intention of limiting walk-over immigration, they view it as their next bought-and- paid-for voting block. So easily seen, hard to believe anyone is confused about that strategy, it is crystal clear.
1
Would Trump take 5.7 billion dollars to resign if so it would be money well spent.
8
now I would contribute to something like that!
McConnell does not care how this works out. He only cares about his own power and skin. He's old and will not be around for much of the ramifications of his actions of the past 25 years, including brett k or gorsuch. He may live well into old age, but his daily life will be untouched by the negative fallout of his times. If he does live longer I'm hoping he will have someone inform him of how awful he is-and-forever-will-be viewed as a traitor to America and to our democracy. At the least, I am one who prays for him to suffer . . . somehow, someway, and indeed, very-very-strongly.
What goes around . . .
3
If Mitch wanted one to pass, he would have done a voice vote.
End of story.
1
If they can't get it done maybe it's time for us to get it done. The French would have called a general strike by now, shut everything down and let the government see how that works for them. Why should federal workers be the only ones bearing the brunt of this outrage.
4
No surprise, because both bills were D.O.A. before they even came up for a vote.
And Donald Trump's usual tactic of saying one thing, then saying or doing something else is on full display here.
Even those Americans who fell for his line in the first place remember him saying that Mexico would pay for the wall, and he'd be "proud" to shut down the government -- just like they remember him bragging about "the art of the deal".
Except there is no deal.
And that's because any deal involves the ability to compromise, and that's clearly something Mr. Trump is either or unable to do.
In the meantime, our federal employees must continue to work without salary or not work at all, while the safey and security of this country grows more precarious every day.
This is not just "SAD".
This is shameful.
196
@N. Smith
Just to press the point that many more people are affected economically by the shutdown. I am not a federal worker and I am one of them. My work, as does the work of many others, requires that the government function. I believe that the economic impact of the shutdown is far greater and will reverberate for far longer than Trump's cabinet lets on. Wilbur Ross, in particular, appears to be out to lunch... out of touch with reality.
15
@N. Smith
Why was the Democratic bill DOA? It was what the Republican Senate passed in December by acclamation. It was clean. All those Republicans voted against what they had voted before last month. Why did they do that? Because they were given marching orders by the President? What about the people? What about the basic functioning of government? What oath of office did these Republican sheep take?
4
I know we all focus on Trump, and I do, too; but today the problem was Mitch McConnell, and for better or worse, he now shares ownership of government shutdown. It won't be resolved until he wants it to be resolved.
14
Actually both measure would have passed, one by 50-47 votes and one by 52-44 votes, but the Senate invoked the unconstitutional 60-Vote Rule to quash both bills. The Constitution provides that all measures measures expect treaty confirmations, impeachments and constitutional amendments require only a simple minority, but political party hacks devised the 60-Vote Rule to enhance the power of the minority party. Under the rule, 60-votes are needed to close debate. The Senate majority leader should have used the nuclear option to override the 60-vote rule.
5
@William Case
yep, I remember that strategy. It was how the ACA was passed. So, if by "political party hacks" you mean only Republicans and hacks (a good term, that's what both sides are) don't live on both sides of the aisle, have to suppose you missed how the ACA was passed.
These are only the two plans McConnell allowed to go to a vote. There were other plans which could win that McConnell would not allow to come to a vote which would likely have drawn R's in greater numbers.
This is on McConnell.
37
@Johnny Comelately And even so, the Democrats plan did a bit better than the Republican plan.
4
@Johnny Comelately
Why is he doing this? Is he simply obstructing the Democratic Speaker Pelosi like he did to President Obama?
There has to be a reason.
2
@Jean Marie. To McConnell, power for Republicans is more important than our country or its citizens. In fact, it’s really all that matters.
1
The rule of law begins to decay and becomes weakened when the elected government bodies and it's necessary government institutions are corrupt and/or have insufficient corrective mechanisms to restore adequate functioning..
The rule of law simply does not exist, if there are exemptions or exceptions, for any one privileged and/or powerful person or persons, when these power elites could be reasonably charged with a high degree of certainty that high crimes or malfeasance have been committed.
R.I.C.O was my call a year ago.
26
They know no shame , the Republicans and especially Mitch McConnell . They continue to rip the American public off any way they can . 5.7 billion for a wall which will probably mushroom to 20 billion or more once they all get their cut . This is how billionaires are made ; it is not even about a philosophy or belief of what a government should function but more self enrichment at the expense of the little people (us) our welfare being at the bottom of the me list .
47
Keep it simple:
Give Goldilocks double his request - around 11.7 billion, stipulating that the wall (as he defines it) is off limits but that other measures, viewed by "experts" as wise, just, and humane be launched immediately. Mount a relentless media PR campaign continually reminding the base (and the rest of us) that El Hefe has twice his demand and that thinking people consider the wall a bad idea. The base might be persuaded that two loaves are better than one; put pressure on to end the shutdown. Voila!
PS: This is not my idea; I read it somewhere.
11
@Gilin HK Not crazy. Border security involves much more than just securing the land border with Mexico against intruson. Speed and improve inspections at legal points of entry. And most drugs come in on container ships; one could spend billions just dealing with that problem. Give the Coast Guard more resources. There's no shortage of intelligent ways to spend money instead of wasting it on a dumb wall.
Nancy Pelosi is the one holding the Government hostage. Alll she needs to do is provide some funding for the wall along with greater border security measures along with a bill to ensure automatic Government refunding in the event of a future impasse aling the prior budget until the impasse is resolved.
That will prevent Trump from using a future Government shutdown to get what he wants, what the Democrats claim they fear.
6
@KCG
And all you need to do when your teenager won't stop complaining is buy him the Corvette he wants. Trump has provided no plans for the wall and no evidence to support his contention that it's the best (let alone only) way to secure the border. We surely have better things to spend billions of dollars on than one man's vanity project.
9
@KCG This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the Republican and Trump position on this. Why would they give up the option to hold the American people hostage in future to get nominal funding for a "wall" now? They won't and that is the reason for the logjam - not the Democrats' position. Pelosi is doing her job, McConnell is not, Trump is not.
9
@KCG
That wouldn't work. You can't just pass a bill that automatically renews, since the funding requests and appropriations change every year.
Why can't the GOP just consider the wall funding in a separate bill? That is literally what the Dems are asking fun at this point.
2
You are correct. President Trump won the 2016 election. The nation spoke. Elections have consequences. Yet, the tyranny of the minority continues.
8
And in 2018 the country spoke again when it overwhelmingly elected a Democratic House. Elections do indeed have consequences. (And BTW, he lost the popular vote in 2016, so we’ve been living with the tyrrany of the minority ever since then.)
11
The nation spoke again last year and elected a blue wave of Democrats to the House, despite pervasive gerrymandering.
13
@Brewster’s Millions
Most of my Republican friends and acquaintances have confided to me that they did NOT vote for the ignorance, instability and rudeness of Trump. They voted AGAINST Hillary Clinton.
And since casting their 2016 vote, they have come to regret what they did.
The election of 2016 may well be the weakest case of “the people have spoken” in our nation’s history.
10
In December, they voted 100-0 to fund the government. Now the Republicans almost unanimously line up behind Trump?
Why does anyone listen to Trump, a man who doesn't know what he's talking about, is rude, crass and completely unlikeable at the same time - not to mention possibly -- probably -- guilty of obstruction of justice and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Trump says the Democrats have radicalized. The Republicans have sold their souls.
81
Question from press pool should include: Mr President, is your position on government shutdown part of Russia’s plan to destroy our democracy?
52
They'll solve it within a week.
2
All the news is bad. Soon scientists will be emigrating to China, Israel, and Korea so that they can earn more money. Satellites in space will spin out of control. Toxic chemicals may get into our toothpaste and breakfast cereals. Armed terrorists who are illegally in the US may hijack planes. People will not be able to look at mountains, wildlife, and vegetation in National Parks or use the toilets there. To pay bills, unemployed Government workers may need to take one of the many temporary or part time job opportunities. Yes, it is all terrible.
8
@Robert Williams - Correct; horrific. And we owe our undying (dying) gratitude to the Republican Party, their corrupt front men/women (esp. in the WH), to those corporate prostitutes who reward them. And to the Electoral College that permits empty acres to defeat the popular vote. We are losing the battles and the very war for our country.
4
Can the NYT provide an extra column showing the Senators that vote for the earlier bill (the one that passed unanimously in the winter and was very similar to the Democratic bill?). I would like to know which Senators changed their mind and why? I would hate to think that their principles are only conditional....
26
@Lottie Jane Five Thirty Eight has graphs of votes.
2
It is a good thing that Congress is working without pay!
5
@Steven of the Rockies
It would be a good thing -- but they ARE getting paid. Figures, huh?
1
@keesgrrl. Steven was being ironic.
It isn't the Democrats plan that failed, it was the bipartisan plan that both sides voted for just a month ago that failed. That means that Conservative senators voted against their own plan that they had already voted for.
53
When my kids fought over an item, I would take it away and told them, "game is over" or keep playing with what you got left.
Same here, TAKE THE WALL AWAY. Keep haggling over the rest.
Trump can claim that the wall was what voters elected him for, but that was because Mexico was going to pay for it.
Democrats recently elected new members to the House claiming a majority. They are to clean up the mess Republicans made in the last two years. The People have spoken. Trump lost the popular vote in 2016 by 3 million. So why does he, McConnell and other Republicans feel their cause has more support than the other side?
Take the wall away. Solve the problem. Then offer money for what is needed.
23
@euskadi And the Republications lost the midterm Congressional elections by 8 million. The Republicans are obstructing themselves into extinction.
1
If you step back for a second to reflect upon how this government became this polarized, divided and unyielding, consider that they're everything these forums have had in their hopes and dreams over the past 18 years.
Rather than bemoan how we got this dystopian, let's celebrate how hard we've worked to get this deep into it. Good job, dividers!
2
@JBC
the government is not polarized. those who wish to govern are being immobilized by hostage takers.
2
@JBC
best thoughts I have seen here today. This not working together was bad before 2000, turned into high gear then, and remains. I believe if Trump said he was going to give everyone on gov't entitlements $10,000, the Democrats, who have never knowingly passed on giving out more money, that the Democrats would fight that. They intend to pass nothing, good, bad, or a split decision. Not much different than Obama had to deal with after 2010. Has become, "we are for NOTHING you are for!"
Here is why Trump doesn’t understand why people suffer because of his obstinacy. First, he doesn’t care to understand. Second, he thinks people can just borrow the money they need - as HE did with numerous banks and his rich father. The Trump method for dealing with debt was simply not to pay! He had lawyers who would drag out court cases until his contractors would simply give up because they couldn’t afford lawyer’s fees, or he’d settle for pennies on the dollar. Banks forgave him tremendous debt and interest. Eventually, no banks in this country would lend to him as he was such a bad risk, so he went to other countries to get funds for his projects. This was his way and the cruelty of it didn’t bother him, as long as he “won.” He thinks whatever he can get away with is fine. Forget honor, reliability, decency, fairness.
Trump and others, like Wilbur Ross, can’t even imagine that there are people who cannot afford to pay interest on loans, which mount quickly. There are certain bills that MUST be paid and there are consequences to ignoring bills! Some people do not have the credit rating to qualify for a loan. Most people don’t have a Daddy to hit up for money. The ignorance and pure meanness of Trump and his ilk is astounding.
There is no plea that will sway this dunderhead. He has dug in. It must come from McConnell and Republicans. People are hurting and facing life and death decisions as to how to allocate their money. For shame.
45
Joe Manchin should just caucus with the Republicans. I know the people of West Virginia are worried about drug traffickers coming and taking all their coal mining jobs but seriously, nobody wants to leave one third world country for another.
23
Just FYI: the trial of Juan Guzman, El Chapo, in NY has been incredibly beneficial to the understanding of whether the so called wall will stop the flow of drugs (which no one who isnt named Trump believes). In the trial, associates of El Chapo have spoken in detail about how they smuggled enormous shipments of drugs into the US. By Train, by plane, by boat and mostly by hidden compartments in cars and trucks. And how much of this would a wall stop? Zero. So....800,000 people work without pay so a handful of politicians can push a lie forward at their expense. I say, MITCH, bring the 2 votes up again. Next time, there will be 60 votes for the funding as Repubs phone lines are screaming with discontent over this lack of bipartisanship. Shame.
29
@Robert Glinert
you might be surprised. I first do not think the Republicans telephone lines are full of calls from Republicans or independents. Think those are Democrats calling, saying they are Republicans, for a hoped-for effect. Continue to be amazed to watch 1/6 of our gov't acting like they hold a huge amount of power. Should not bow donn, but should realize they are in quite the minority position. Has to be a planned-for obstinance, no ears open to anything said.
Trump caused this shutdown, and Republicans, especially McConnell, have allowed it to continue. And the Wall is a crazy idea - an expensive attempt to solve a nonexistent problem.
Yet, despite these obvious truths, I worry about Democratic resolve as the shutdown continues. Because of gerrymandering, voter suppression, the undemocratic structure of both the Senate and Electoral College, it takes far more people to elect each Democratic representative in our government, versus Republican.
So just by the math, many more of those affected by the shutdown have Democratic representatives. Elected Democrats represent a lot more people than their Republican counterparts and therefore have much more accountability. It's corrosive to democracy, it's not fair, etc., but I'm afraid that's the way it is.
10
@George Fulcher
more people does not automatically mean more accountability. Nowhere in any history, current, back to ancient, shows more numbers transfer to more accountabilty, It just means there are more people who need to be accountable. The Democrat Party and many of its voters have the least amount of accountability in the US. Constantly playing the blame game, any problem they bore, they act like is fully someone else's reponsibility to make it right. The old, "everybody is a victim" mentality is nothing but transferring responsibilty to someone other than themselves, on matters especially where they did little to nothing to solve.
"Smart" is a wall by just another name, still a multi-billion $ boondoggle. It already failed in 2007 as SBInet (which I worked on) canceled after spending over a billion for 53 useless miles of surveillance.
The problems were multiple, starting with the pork barrel no bid award of the contract to Boeing Aircraft, which proved a worst case product developer. But even that dodge proved a minor challenge compared to geography.
Surveillance over hundreds of miles of empty desert presents an all but insurmountable challenge in data bandwidth and enforcement transportation. Installing and maintaining that many cameras and lights is hard enough - how are you going to feed the resulting terabytes of video images back to a listening post? Nothing short of a dedicated (vulnerable) world class string of fiber optic cables will accomplish it. And what's to be done once you actually catch an illegal on film? Law Enforcement is hours away. Short of drones with nets - or bullets - there is no effective response.
In sum talk of barriers is an abdication of intelligent governance. In fact our most effective southern defence is the very geography that defeats a wall. The actual current crises is the embrace of a boogeyman narrative. That intimidation by this so called president is spreading from the GOP to the Democrats, reminding that dictatorship is a state of mind, not a matter of national history or institutions, as they can and are being reshaped to suit.
19
I don't have time to read through this.
Who does anymore?!
But THIS I will say...
stop paying members of congress too.
Then you will see quick resolve.
What do we expect when people feel no pain?
15
@Astrid
"I don't have time to read through this..."
I don't know how you vote, Astrid, and whether we agree or disagree about immigration or any of the other issues that bedevil our divided country. But I find this statement at the start of your comment disheartening. None of our problems are simple; we need a knowledgeable citizenry to help us move forward.
9
"Republican views in the Senate have shifted dramatically since then to reflect the president’s."
No, to reflect the views of Rush and Hannity and Ann.
21
The Senate ought be obliged to go into 24/7 session and not recess until this situation is solved. Their lack of action is criminal.
14
@big al
We should do what the College of Cardinals does when they elect a new pope. Lock them in the building until they've reached a result. If it takes too long, cut off their food.
I ask two questions of Trump supporters:
1. What purpose is the Senate if all it serves is as a rubber stamp for President Trump rather than legislative body?
2. If Trump lied to the troops in Iraq, and even lied about the number of hamburgers, why on earth would you ever believe he isn't lying to you? What makes you different?
There has only been silence.
22
@Marie
you must have learned that item #1 in 2007-2009. Talk about rubber stamping things. Best was summed up by Nancy P after the ACA was about to be voted on - "we need to hurry up and pass this, so I can read it, learn what is in it." That one, a lot bigger than this wall, or whatever they come up with, has turned into little more than another welfare program and another tax increase. 80% of the Obamacare policy holders are Medicaid. Maybe in retrospect, they should have let the Republicans weigh in on such a large, important (or so it seemed to be), complicated, confusing, paradoxical bill as the ACA. Shut them out completely, changed the voting rules in the Senate to get it passed. That was a ramrod job by the legislative branch to hand the executive branch just what he wanted. I'm sure you can recall that, right?
@Rick
I've always thought that the Republican remake of that movie, like most remakes, lacks the character and genuine script of the original while trying simplify it to make it palatable to its demographic.
The absent are the plot lines where the Democrats reached out to Republicans to develop a plan that was based in fact based on a Republican plan to make insure that people were responsible for their medical bills included compromises to win Republican votes, including the continuation of private insurance companies and dropped the public option that was long desired by the Democrats to appease Republicans. Absent is the telling of the Republican amendments to the ACA that were adopted. Or the plot twist of after leading their Democratic partners along they just turned their backs on their colleagues and the American people with bad intentions of ever intending to vote. So ironically,the Democrats could have have "ramrodded" their public option of what "he wanted" through since no Republican was ever going to vote for the plan they helped create. In the end it may have been better for us all if the Democrats actually did "ramrod" the plan that they actually wanted rather than trying to play to the disengenuous Republicans.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2017/08/01/set-health-record-straight-republicans-helped-craft-obamacare-ross-baker-column/523952001/
The Republicans do not want to represent the 99%.
16
The Democrat's bill simply ends the shutdown and continues negotiations on border security.
It's a good faith solution and makes sense. How any Republican can vote against it is infuriating.
Remember this in 2020. Make America Great Again - vote for Democrats.
15
From here on out, every time Trump cries about his wall the Democrats should play him the refrain of his favorite song:
"You Can't Always Get What You Want."
5
The only advocate for all Americans among the present leadership is Speaker Pelosi. Where would we be without her? As she said, the Democrats will support immigration and border policies that are fact-based, genuinely secure, sane, and humane.
The Trump McConnell Republican government shutdown, i.e., extortion, will continue. If Trump, McConnell and their servile immoral bad-faith Republicans can't seize and retain power, they'll burn the whole thing down. But I guess we already knew that.
The Republicans are still voting as if there is nothing at all wrong with how Mr. Trump has conducted himself. Lordy. Indictments, self-dealing, guilty pleas, felonies, treason: nothing fazes them. How much Russian money have they accepted? Nothing would surprise me anymore. And nothing will compel them to exercise their Constitutional oversight duties.
20
What’s the matter with Rand Paul? Why didn’t he vote?
1
What's the government when the country's effectively been shut down since November 8, 2016. Look at the bright side folks this is the lowest presidential bar that's humanly possible so it's only up from here. Make Trump not president again!
4
If this had occurred in France there would have been a general strike of all public employees.. . Shut down the airports, national parks, coast guard etc.etc. Time for citizens to stop barking and start biting.
10
"We will not Cave!” - Donald Trump
These are not the words of someone who is interested in compromise or any other form of finding a solution. This is the language of certitude. It is more appropriate for a religious leader like Ayatollah Khamenei than a US president.
The wall was a poorly researched, fact free, crowd pleasing, simplistic chant that helped him get elected, that's all. How we got to this point is mind boggling.
And the worst point is that no matter how this ends, Trump will claim an unqualified victory. And 30% of the American populace, including many members of Congress, will applaud.
10
@TM Yes. But I am not sure whether any Americans will applaud.
Bothers me too that he says "we" will not cave. Who is WE? Every Senator that votes with him facilitates his insistence that the wall is all that matters, and they know it's a lie. One strength of Americans is we don't follow liars as sheep might. Again, who is WE?
It won't stop crime, it won't solve any real problem, and they have admitted that if there's a crisis, it's one of Trump's own making; and as we know from the Republican congressman living on the largest segment of the border, it will hurt Texans.
Trump has shown no interest in compromise, and has shown much interest in destroying US institutions - FBI, CIA, State, EPA, IRS, and so forth. His SecDef is acting, as are many others of his cabinet so that he can't be put out under the 25th Amendment. Face it, the shutdown _is_ his plan.
4
Hats off to the Republican Senators who did the right thing and voted for the Dem plan to open the government until Feb. 8 to get the workers paid. We need at least 7 more votes.
Rumor is that the WH thinks they can drag this out through April. I don't think the economy, the market or the workers will put up with that. Unfortunately, the suffering is unavoidable. This battle has to be fought to a bitter end or Trump will put the nation and the workers through this nonsense every time he pitches a tantrum over policy.
The Trump Administration will live in infamy for its cruel and heartless actions.
20
Civil servant ...... A civil servant or public servant's first priority is to represent the interests of the citizens. Enough said, pay the workers being held hostage TODAY and with interest.
7
Why should we Democrats compromise with a compromised party and President?
9
I give tremendous credit to Nancy Pelosi for calling for "an evidence-based, cost-effective, value-respecting way to protect the American people with border security,” Why should this be controversial.
On the other hand, Trump's response was, as usual bombastic, simpleminded, and greatly misleading: “Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs."
No, Mr. Trump, your wall won't have much effect on Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs. Very little of any of these things sneak across areas of our border in need of the Wall.
Why is it not reasonable to expect the President of the United States to back up his proposal with facts or else move on to better solutions? Where is this small part of his 70 billion dollar wall going to be built? Will the government use eminent domain to seize rancher's property? Will it go on Indian land (highly problematic)? Will it cut through any cities of towns? Where are the studies showing that the Wall is needed in this particular location and where are the environmental impact studies to show the harm it will cause? Or is this just some 5.7 billion dollar slush fund that he will use to pay off porn stars and fund Trump Tower Moscow?
15
@Bill
Agreed on all points, and well stated.
And it's laughable to think that the friend of Jeffrey Epstein cares about human trafficking or sexual abuse of women.
Unfortunately, I agree with other comments here about Trump’s allegiance to Putin, after all - the Russians (and Saudis) bought so much real estate from him. Trump is bent on delivering to Putin a destabilized US with a crushed middle class and weakened court system. Look at Poland to see how quickly tides can turn. Trump is evil and must be stopped
14
this shutdown needs to end today! I urge every American citizen to call the local office of their congressman and senators and demand this shutdown end immediately (don't e-mail, call them). McConnell & Co. seem to forget that they work for "We the People", not Donald Trump. Everyday this shutdown continues, millions of American lives are being ruined by this senseless shutdown sparked the Toddler-In-Chief.
9
The 'Art of the Shutdown' President is more like it. As a businessman he would NOT pay his contractors, and then force them to accept less than full payment as he held the upper hand. He has tried the same approach in Washington, not realizing that he isn't in Kansas any more.
8
Please do not vilify me but seeing that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats were able to secure at least 60 votes for their own side/agenda/party, then it seems too me that neither Trump or Pelosi are doing a very good job at this moment, regarding this issue or their own leadership abilities. There is almost as much dissonance between the ranks than there is alliance. What a mess. Suddenly I feel hopeless for the country as well as those 800,000 federal workers.
4
The rule of law begins to decay and becomes weakened when the elected government bodies and it's necessary government institutions are corrupt or have insufficient corrective mechanisms to restore adequate functioning..
The rule of law simply does not exist, if there are exemptions or exceptions, for any one privileged and/or powerful person or persons, when these power elites could be reasonably charged with a high degree of certainty that high crimes or malfeasance have been committed.
R.I.C.O was my call a year ago.
4
Wish we the people could vote “no confidence” in our leadership and start over.
8
Honest Question.
Forcing any person to work without paying (compensating) is legal?
I can barely understand 2 week-3 week shutdown, but more than month long, forcing anybody to enslavement is legal- constitutional.
Such as Forcing a TSA agent to work 30 days without pay , no compensation is not a description of enslavement.
So with this shut down, Slavery become legal?
3
Thats it the senate and Congress have been futzing around and with the quirky rule of 60 votes i the senate nothing gets done. The president has weighed every option and made proposals to include unrelated matters. In the interest of securing the border and ending the crisis on the border as well as getting the government workers affected by the partial shut down pai and working again a call for national emergency may be the best for the country.
2
This is about saving face with his base for Trump at this point. He doesn't want to appear weak by compromising. Unfortunately for him, that's what governing is about essentially. Those affected by the shutdown could care less about the president's pride or what Fox commentators have to say about this situation. Those affected by the shutdown most likely don't share the extreme political biases as the president and just want to put food on the table. That's hard to understand when you grew up with a silver spoon in your mouth like Trump. His lack of understanding and/or empathy will bite back at the polls for sure.
5
Ann Coulter is scheduled to be a guest on Bill Maher's show tomorrow. I would love to hear Bill say to her "Ann, thanks for being on the show. I hope you don't expect to get paid for your appearance."
8
I don’t know if Mitch McConnell is sorry, but he sure looks it. Pitiful.
We are no longer a United States of America, if we ever were.
Dissolve the government, set up a serfdom, and we can all be enslaved to that hedge fund guy who just bought that $200 apartment overlooking Central Park. Why prolong the inevitable?
3
The TSA employees and air traffic controllers have the power to end this ridiculous standoff by walking off the job. And certainly they are tempted as they watch air safety being compromised daily by the Trump shutdown.
5
So what changed since Dec. when they voted in favor of nearly the same bill? Something other than Rush and Coulter stomping their feet and badmouthing Trump? I got nothing, anyone? Was I in a coma when Rush and Coulter were elected to run the country?
7
What is Jackie Rosen's excuse for missing this important vote?
If all TSA and Flight Traffic Controllers do not turn up for work tomorrow, this inept bunch of bufoonish politicians will immediately do what they should have done a month ago - stand up to the President and overule his power of veto. Everyone knows that the wall is simply symbolic. It will never get built. The Dems have offered $5.7B for the right kind of border security, that can be implemented. The President had his chance. He failed. It's time for Mitch McConnell to do his job. What does he care anyway? He already has his Supreme Court Judges and Tax cut. He apparently hates Trump. What's he waiting for?
4
@G trump to get elected again in 2020 so he can further consolidate power.
2
We the people, shall not forget who is responsible for this insult that has been leveled upon our country. This will change...this will change soon enough.
1
Well, we learned two things. One, a significant minority of GOP senators do not accept the calculus of destroying most of our federal employees to obtain an impotent, unnecessary wall mandated only by an infantile commander in chief.
Two, 800,000+ employees will continue to go hungry while the GOP continues to needlessly ruin their lives.
5
I do believe some chaos is in order. Shut the airports with a walkout people.
3
No wall, not now, not ever! and no $6B smart wall either! instead prosecute illegal employers like trump.
3
Trump's wall is a pipe dream.
The CATO institute (conservative think tank) has an article describing all the problems. There is a treaty that mandates a flood plain along the Rio Grande River. Fencing can cause more flood damage. Solid wall would not allow water to pass. There would be much damage on both sides of the border.
California, Arizona and New Mexico have fences on federal land at the border with these 3 states. Two thirds of the land in Texas is privately held. The land owners have fought the US Government for years to prevent taking the land by eminent domain. One Indian tribe has rights to the land on both sides of the border. They are a sovereign nation with treaty rights.
Steel is expensive and it would take a lot of it to build the fence/wall. Total cost to buy the materials and the labor?
Much more than 5.7 billion over a 2000 mile stretch.
17
i agree. 2000 miles. the 5.7 billion is probably going to build a 20 miles wall. How is that going to make a difference.
1
@-APR Add to that that in remote areas walls are completely useless. If it takes hours for the border patrol to reach an area, that is plenty of time for people to go over, under or through the wall. Recently 376 illegal immigrants tunneled under the wall in Arizona, and people regularly go over the wall using ropes and ladders. If people are determined to enter, a wall is not going to be a major impediment.
I thought the 5.7B was for a 200 mile stretch. That's $28.5M per mile. If you spent around $140K/year per border security agent, you could hire 20 agents per mile for that much money for 10 years. The wall is a really dumb waste of money.
The Cato report is quite thorough and it doesn't even get into the environmental impact it would have, including threatened and endangered species that regularly cross the border.
4
Politicians clearly are struggling to handle the entire issue of immigration and border security. It is clear the Trump plan, in its current form, is not comprehensive and clearly is "wall" driven. Before we go down the path of a permanent wall; I think the citizens ought to vote on a national referendum as to whether we want a wall. Trump is so focused on a southern border with little focus on the northern. There is no policy, so before we get to the wall funding, let's get a plan, both for immigration and border security and if a permanent structure is requested, the people should have a vote. Congress clearly is not representing the people.
6
We built a wall. Based on a bipartisan bill that passed in 2006. It didn't reduce immigration or drug trafficking. It just cost billions of dollars and hurt the local environment, among other things. Why are we talking about doing it again?
6
@Michael A. Actually the border patrol is happy for the barriers built to date and has identified areas where additional new barriers would be helpful.
Will someone please tell me why we promise to pay federal workers (who have not worked for weeks) to pay them back pay when the government reopens!
I don't work, I don't get paid!
1
@Kevin Bitz For one thing, many of them are still working but not getting paid (think of all those air traffic controllers and other essential employees). Workers are not even allowed to use their vacation time for income during the shutdown. Federal workers have always gotten back pay when the government is funded again, and often at 1.5 to 2x what it normally would be to help offset the hardships imposed. I've worked in places where they have mandatory shutdowns where we are encouraged to use our vacation time. I still get paid. They can't even use accrued vacation time.
Do you think it's right for people to be forced to work but not get paid?
1
@Kevin Bitz It was only a matter of time before some tone deaf person came on and said this. Congrats You are the first one I have seen and you should have a drink with your friend Wilbur Ross who promised back pay to everyone - such that their banks and grocery stores should be extending them credit so they can feed their families and keep their homes.
The solution is so easy: each party gets what they want and gives in to what they consider intolerable.
Prevent illegal immigration with Trump’s ineffective “wall” plus measures which will actually work.
Welcome at least one million new immigrants, asylum seekers, and families per year, and provide a path to full citizenship for all undocumented residents who have not been convicted of violent felonies.
And now Congress goes home for a well-deserved, four-day paid reprieve from all that work! Stay in town. Do the job. There are people who are really hurting.
6
What would happen if the public just stopped paying Federal taxes?
Why can't we have our own shutdown showdown game of brinkmanship. The government must be punished. Let's see how those vultures who sit on the three branches of government like it when we do this to them?
6
@Max & Max i like this idea, hope it goes viral.
1
Read the book "Crossing Niagara Falls on a Tightrope" by Hugo Furst.
1
Trump will keep the government closed until he gets the wall. Not only does he and his cabinet care about immigrants, they just don’t care about people period. The Democrats on the other hand cannot pay ransom to Trump. So, this will go on until enough Republicans cross the line to override Trumps veto. That will happen after we have a disaster. Then everyone will blame each other. Elections have consequences.
4
Wow! Six senators voted to end the shutdown and begin realistic negotiations. Could these be the seeds of a rational Republican coalition? Let's hope so.
3
Do the Congresspeople, their aides, and office workers get paid while all this is going on? They are part of the government, aren't they? How about the President, VP, all Cabinet members and their staffs? Bet that might get some action to end the shutdown.
1
I feel terrible for the hardworking people who are now without income. Are there any relief organizations that accept contributions so workers do not get evicted or malnourished?
3
I am a Canadian a very deep state where our apolitical civil service provides our legislators with facts rather than affirms ideology.
Our professional economists told our government that by the time the USA puts in force the security both your parties talk about you will need millions of immigrants and refugees to just maintain the economy you have.
Our government has already passed the legislation that will bring in the 350,000 new Canadians we will need because our birth rate will see a decline in population and my cohort of boomers will reach its expiry date. This population loss is the only thing where we march in lock step.
Your parties are both ignorant of the facts but who cares as long as ideology is more important than facts.
We live longer and if we need to start processing more new Canadians. If America is serious about a healthy robust economy you need facts not beliefs. I doubt it will be possible because the only thing that seems to unite you all is the commitment to the destruction of your country.
9
@Montreal Moe Comprehensive immigration reform is, or was until recently, a rare bipartisan issue. Unfortunately Republicans have shot it down over and over again. They know what's needed but they're hostage to their own worst political instincts. Even their billionaire backers who want those immigrants can't sway them. When you spend all of your time convincing your voters that immigrants are behind every problem they have, not rampant inequality, then you're kind of stuck with it.
3
The good old government worker is holding this shutdown together - God bless them all. If the airlines had to shut down tomorrow because of safety concerns -- I am sure our bewildered Congress would find a way to open the government and get people back to work - at least some of them. Holding government workers hostage is no way to get things done -- and since you want to own it, shame on you President Trump. And by the way, Trump had complete control of Congress for two years to get everything he needed to address his border crisis -- maybe too many days on the golf course got in the way - so sad.
5
The nightmare continues. We are in a morass of partisan politics that makes no sense at all. Congress is more at fault even than Trump, because the Senate, led (if you can call it leadership) by Mitch McConnell, has a stranglehold on what gets voted on and the Republicans are unwilling to risk defying McConnell and Trump.
Is this what we pay for with our taxes? Is this what we trust with our votes? These people are supposed to be running the country for us, the citizens.
3
There simply needs to be a 2/3 vote, on account of "disorderly behavior", to expel a senator from the Senate. If things keep up like this, it's time to start calling to fire Mitch.
7
The White House’s strategic communications director was interviewed on NPR this morning. When asked if Trump would be open to Democrats’ offer of $5 billion for border security, but just not $5 billion for a wall, she was off and running about how Democrats are refusing to compromise, Nancy Pelosi isn’t taking this seriously, and the President wants to end the shutdown but Democrats won’t come to the table. The interviewer could barely get a word in edgewise but, when he finally managed to do so and asked her point-blank why she wouldn’t answer the question, she basically said Democrats were the problem. That seemed to be all she knew how to say, and I thought it was a very accurate reflection of this administration’s core principles, those principles being that it’s always someone else’s fault. Trump’s latest tweet, rife with snake oil and unnecessary capitalizations, gives the lie to his strategic communications director’s statements. He will not “cave”, and that’s what this is all about: him not appearing weak before his rabid base and Ann Coulter. It’s disgusting.
10
McConnell (who I suspect has ample financial resources to last him his lifetime and beyond) and GOP officials at large are joining an amoral President in putting their own job security above the wellbeing of not only the unpaid federal workers and contractors but everyone else.
The GOP leaders and their fat cat friends (including the Fox “News” propagandists) can financially afford to let the country suffer, but when if ever will their flock realize that no border wall or any other of Trump’s shenanigans are going to secure our nation’s fiscal or physical future?
2020 may be too late so hopefully some of that 30% or so of voters that is the GOP base will begin to realize that all the chest-thumping and fear-mongering Trump spews to keep them in line is not leading to any sort of greatness, other than continuing the great economic disparity between the extremely wealthy and the rest of us and widening the chasms of hatred. I’m not too optimistic, but folks in red states need to call their senators and end this ridiculous government shutdown, which is hurting those everyday folks as much as anyone else.
A functioning government, even this one that has been relentlessly trying to undermine protections for everyday people, is essential to a democracy. (If folks want to live in an autocracy, the current administration seems to have a lot of connections to a former KGB agent who would probably be happy to have those folks move to his lands and endure his autocratic rule.)
4
The tyranny of the minority continues.
7
@Vanessa Hall
who shut the government down? trump did.
he needs to take ownership for what he did.
5
Congressional GOP: we had passed this bill unanimously, veto proof. Then Ann Coulter called our President names and his feelings were really hurt. So we’re keeping the government shut down so Trump’s feelings aren’t hurt any more by Ann Coulter.
38
Lots of ire being directed at Sen. McConnell but it takes 2 to have an impasse. Wouldn't it be just as possible for the Speaker of the House to OK .05% of the Govt. budget for the wall? This has become personal, plain & simple. Think about it. In the past, haven't there been budgets approved that included & for the wall (the budgets where Dems voted for the wall) approved? What happened then? No wall was built, how come? Why are we even talking vote/not voting about an issue previously agreed upon years ago?
Second, if the wall $ was passed, wouldn't the 9th Circuit Court immediately issue an injunction? Anyone doubt it? Now another journey to the Supreme Court. Lastly, Imminent domain issues, environmental impact studies, bids, approvals, court cases initiated by the companies who lost out on the bids, public hearings, etc. just to name a few hoops that would have to be jumped through to get the wall in place. Conservatively, 5-7 years at the earliest to begin construction. By that time,(or sooner) if past election cycles hold, the Dems will control the Executive branch & we'll have open borders.
27
@Shoofly If you give in to a blackmailer he'll keep coming back for more. If Pelosi gives in to Trump then he, or any future president, will be shutting down the government anytime he doesn't get what he wants. Is that how you want our government to operate?
139
@Shoofly
Yes we know Republicans like your want to make this personal. It's not. The Republicans UNANIMOUSLY passed EXACTLY THE SAME DEMOCRATIC BILL IN THE SENATE about 4 weeks ago. What's changed?
126
Why waste a penny on a pointless wall? There’s nothing fiscally conservative about spending billions on something that we already know won’t achieve the goals the president has for it while the deficit skyrockets.
84
Your source for cheap loans. Special no (well low) interest terms for federal employees forced to visit food banks.
http://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/institutions/wlross/
2
@John
Anyone wanting to take advantage of the incredible low interest Wilbur program can speak to someone here.
http://www.invesco.com/portal/site/us/institutions/contact-us/
2
Cheap loans for federal workers @Wilbur.com
APPLY NOW!!
10
@John
why should workers have to take out loans and pay interest because trump shut down the government and refuses their pay?
1
One possible solution: the 6 Republicans who voted for the Democratic bill should temporarily caucus with the Democrats, thereby throwing control of the Senate to the Democrats, until the Democratic bill passes and is signed by Trump. How do you think Trump will like Democrat controlled Senate? Perhaps an additional special investigator could be appointed? How will the GOP leadership like that, with no more right wing justices appointed? Come on guys, be bold!
24
@walkman-- Good idea--except those six Republicans would find them selves with a major primary fight next time and no money or support from the GOP. Wont happen.
1
I await reporters bombarding Republicans with questions about how they could support a nearly identical bill a month ago, and vote no now. And not accepting gibberish for an answer!
38
@mivogo and those who did not vote at all. Where were Senators Paul and Risch?
1
@mivogo
Please. Like our elected officials should have answer to the people through their real representatives, the members of a free press. It is to laugh.
1
It's so funny that Ann Coulter is going to destroy Donald Trump's presidency.
38
Funny and ironic. You can throw Rush Limbaugh in there as well.
And you can bet that as the 2020 election gets underway, we’re going to see about a billion Dem ads with Trump’s “I will proudly own the shutdown” statement from the Oval Office.
People won’t forget this. The Dems may not need to run any ads to get elected as long as Trump keeps acting this way. And would we expect him to change? That question answers itself.
1
There have been people in each state voting to tear down monuments to bigotry.
But in the Senate,Trump's Toadies vote to promote his.
All but 6 GOP members should be furloughed without pay. They're not only useless, they're a disgrace to our nation.
Email them.
24
King Mitch, this is a consequence of your "going nuclear." This is a consequence of your open hostility to the executive branch under prior party leadership. All bipartisanship has gone out the window with your arrogance. You've succeeded in breaking government completely. I hope you're pleased, sir.
And before you blame Harry Reid or Joe Biden, where have they been the past 2 years? Exactly. It's on you. You own it, you wear Mitch.
26
Well at least Mitch can now safely sit on his hands.
5
Well, thanks 4 waiting 4 today, McConnell. I mean, it's just a few more days. What's it matter?
Enjoy your weekend.
2
Republicans disingenuously accuse Democrats of not wanting to fund a border wall because they hate Trump. How silly!
Democrats hate Trump because he wants to build a border wall. And why?
Because a border wall as proposed by Trump is not for meaningful security, it is intended to be a symbol of Republican fear and hatred of brown skinned people.
Republicans in Congress have shutdown the government many times before in their partisan attempts to get their way when they don't have the necessary votes needed in our democratic republic.
Republicans in Congress don't care about the harm done to 800,000 federal employees, nor the harm done to contractors and small businesses affected by the shutdown, nor the harm to the public at large, our economy, our security, our image abroad.
The only thing Republicans in Congress care about is their seat and whether Trump or Ann Coulter or some other right-wing bomb thrower will call for them to be primaried.
Advice to federal employees not getting paid: Get your resume's out. Get ahead of the crowd. Find a job where you cannot be treated like a slave.
17
i awoke this morning to the realization that Pelosi cares more about allowing illegal aliens the ability to enter the country than she does about working american citizens.
dems awake!
3
@bored critic I read it differently she fully realizes that if she caves into this tactic he will use it again and again to get what he wants. When a 2 year old holds his breath until he gets what he wants, you don't stop him, or give in.
3
Perhaps you’ll awake tomorrow with the realization that trump doesn’t care one iota for the people directly and indirectly affected by his refusal to end his shutdown.
4
@bored critic
why are you blaming ms pelosi when it was trump who shut down the government?
trump doesn't care diddly squat about the americans he's harming.
It is sad that our elected officials vote against American citizen's safety and in favor of more illegals coming across the border....Sad indeed.
1
@Tony J Mann Did you miss the part where Democrats are willing to spend $5.2 billion on drones, sensors, and additional fencing? They are not voting for a wall because it makes NO SENSE. Even the conservative Cato Institute has written a paper on why it's a horrible idea. Most "illegals" are here because they've entered legally and overstayed their visas. It's just a political symbol for Trump and his supporters—nothing more.
4
@Tony J Mann Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. The Wall is the least inefficient way to improve border security. If you replace the concrete wall with a smart barrier, you will get better safety. The wall should have been a metaphor, instead it is fixed in concrete in the minds of his supporters. Sad
2
The level of ignorance in this country may have reached fatal levels. Most Americans don't realize how insane they look to people outside the country. What kind of people supports shutting down their own government over building a 1,500 mile long wall in the 21st century?
Republicans in Congress know this is crazy. They knew this as of December. But they are scared of Trump, and Trump is scared of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh. So here we are, the planet's foremost superpower paralyzing itself for the sake a monument to stupidity. Historians of the future will be so confused.
38
Trump/GOP shutdown. Period. Ray Sipe
10
The Democratic bill got more votes in the Republican-controlled Senate than the Trump-backed bill? Come on. The Republicans know the whole wall business is nonsense. It's not real border security, but a monument to stupidity. Time to the Republicans to stop playing cabana boy to Donald Trump and grow a spine.
16
Hey Donny boy…I have the solution about your problem with the wall.
All you have to do is to take down the dictator of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and in no time the new government of Venezuela will pay for the wall..then you tell the American people that you misspoke that is was not Mexico that was going to pay for the wall but Venezuela.. problem solved. !!!
You’ll have your stupid wall and the Venezuela people will have gotten rid of a dictator. !! It’s a win win situation. !!!
Article doesn't give Senate vote totals (how many GOP voted for Dem plan is significant) But does tell me how, separately, AOC voted? Seriously?!?
5
@jeff holcomb, from the Chicago Sun-Times: "The Senate first rejected a Republican plan reopening government through September and giving Trump the $5.7 billion he's demanded for building segments of that wall in a 51-47 vote.
Minutes later, senators voted 52-44 for a Democratic alternative that sought to open padlocked agencies through Feb. 8 with no wall money."
This doesn't say who did what, but does give the totals. The Democratic plan got one more yes than the GOP plan, with one Democrat voting no.
@jeff holcomb You can google the results or just search the times. The votes were updated as the results came in. It provides the detail you want, but the result is clear - more Senators voted for the Dem proposal and less people voted no on the Dem proposal. However, there were Senators who did not vote. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/01/24/us/politics/government-shutdown-live-vote.html
2
@jeff holcomb, the bill in question included $$ for ICE, which her district opposes. She is doing exactly what people expect, voting with her constituency on this one where the outcome is known in advance and nothing is lost.
3
Turn up the heat. It's time for federal workers to stop working. Then the fact that the majority blame the the Trumpublicans will be brought home to them; they will have to move.
19
How can he give up the WALL?
The "jewel in the Crown."
The suggestion was made--oh when? during the 2016 campaign was it?--why not harp on a WALL? A big, beautiful WALL. Like the Great Pyramid--
--this big beautiful WALL--
--will enshrine the name TRUMP to ages yet unborn.
And besides--
--the millions that voted for him were voting for a WALL.
The United States of America thumbing a mighty steel and concrete nose to its poor southern neighbor.
I do believe: the actual protection of our southern border--the task of policing that border ("policing" is the word) in a way that might prove both effective and humane--
--no no! that came SECOND.
'Cause no responsible person (that I can think of) has ever seriously endorsed the WALL. As opposed to patrolling that border with trained personnel and installing technological safeguards.
No--as I understand it: the purpose of the WALL--
--was always, simply and solely, to be a WALL. Standing there in solitary grandeur--
--rousing to incredible heights of xenophobic ecstasy--
--the millions that, in voting for Mr. Trump, were really--
--voting for IT.
How can he compromise? He's boxed in. "WALLED in" as it were.
And the Democrats--how can THEY compromise? Having spoken out against it so loudly--so repeatedly--
--so persuasively.
God help us all!
A line I keep repeating--
--'cause I can't think of anything else. Like our President--
--we're STUCK here--
--for the foreseeable future.
6
Fortunately, all the workers need to do is take personal loans. Or eat cake. Or call their daddy for money.
See - problem solved!
15
It is a powerful lesson for all of us to understand how strong a factor incumbency is in politics. Only when a Member of Congress is retiring does conscience, nation, rule of law, comity come to the fore. The rest of the time, Senators and Reps vote with one eye laser-focused on their next election.
This is not an argument for term limits. It is an argument for insisting that for candidates and office holders, country trumps Party every time.
8
@Paul Bernish For what it is worth - Oklahoma adopted term limits on all state elected offices over 20 years ago.
Alas, I can attest that we are no better governed now than we were before term limits. If anything, it is worse, as the tribal lore that senior legislators used to pass on to newbies is gone, and they have only the corporate lobbyists to depend on for guidance.
Case in point: Pruitt, as OK Attorney general, sent policy papers to the EPA that had a few mistakes in them - they were still on the corporate letterhead of the oil company that wrote them.
6
As expected, both bills failed. The Senate and House will be off until Tuesday. So, nothing will be done on day 35, day 36, day 37 and day 38. The House and Senate are in recess. That speaks loudly about how bad things really are in Washington.
Federal workers an contractors, will not get paid. Next Friday, for most people, either the rent or the mortgage is due. And, as each week goes by, uncertainty increases, and the economy slowly contracts.
Now, we can blame Trump, Pence, the GOP and Democrats for this. Especially McConnell and Perlosi. These are the people, in charge, and the ones who now share responsibility. Trump owned it originally, but now they all own it.
They will also share responsibility for the recession they all are having a hand in creating.
I am just wondering when people start losing patience and take to the streets, like they do in France. Right now, what we have in the US, is a complete failure of the federal government.
10
No they don't all own it. Trump closed the government and he is the one failing to open it back up.
2
@Nick Metrowsky, why is Pelosi being named? This vote failed in the Senate,not the House of Representatives. Pelosi had no hand in this; in fact she and the rest of the House waited to see if they were going to be needed before leaving on recess. Let's be fair on the blame...
3
@Nick Metrowsky I have to ask the question: Why didn't Trump ask for the $5.7Billion for a wall when the GOP controlled the House, the Senate, the White House, and SCOTUS? He had two years to get that done....why, pray tell, did he not do this in January of 2017 instead of waiting until Jan 2019?
Sorry, but this looks like a big distraction from something else that is even more horrible.
2
Republicans held both the house and senate for two years. During that time, border funding was not authorized and government workers were never furloughed. When the house goes to the Democrats, now the wall is all of a sudden ran urgent national security issue? Enough so that 800,000 people should go without work? Democrats are not the scapegoats here, and workers should not be your pawns. Republicans, get your act together and find the political courage to do right thing by your country, and not your personal ambitions or donors.
72
Totally agree.
The fact GOP & President did nothing about the wall while they were in charge of House should be above the fold news in every newspaper until the arbitrary shutdown ends.
A political stunt, nothing more.
4
“…measures to make it more difficult to claim asylum in the United States.”
Doesn’t that violate international norms and treaties? Not that the Trump administration cares about such things.
14
@BlueMountainMan
I hate Trump, but it is a complex question. We have a REfugee Act. basically the ACT says that a refugees is a member of an identifiable group being subjected to discrimination/persecution as a consequence of race, ethnicty or religion.
We are currently getting asylum requests from folks who are part of the ethnic, racial and religious majorities of the their countries who want to leave due to poverty, violence and corruption in their homelands.
Technically speaking, those folks are not refugees in the traditional sense of the term
1
We all lost today in the Senate. There were no winners.
12
At this point, I would think Trump actually wants McConnell to compromise on a bill and override his veto. Then Trump can claim he stayed true to his promise to build a wall (albeit, without Mexico paying for it), and blame Congress for being weak. And most importantly, get back to golfing.
19
Love the picture of Senator Mitch McConnell, the man from not-so-well-educated-Kentucky (please see national statistics on education) who has destroyed the standing of Congress as a co-equal branch of government by annexing the Senate to the president's whims. He's complicit in the President's hostage taking. We need to see a lot more spotlight on him.
34
CBS news aired a story about approximately 150 tunnels located under our southern borders. Those intent on coming here especially those trafficking in drugs will find a way around,above or under a wall no matter how high or strong it is. Electronic detectors, drones and other measures must be used if we are serious about stopping this flow which I sincerely doubt that Trump has any serious intent of doing. The presence of these tunnels I am sure were mentioned during his morning security briefing, but did he hear it above his snoring and even then would he have done anything about it? You guess the answer.
12
The problem of illicit drugs coming through ( or under or over ) the border will be resolved only by the USA taking responsibility for the massive amounts of illicit drugs consumed by our fellow citizens .
Be the solution legalization and regulation ? Decriminalization ? Making addiction a medical NOT a legal issue ? Funding mental health and addiction abatement care ?
Nothing will change until demand changes .
No one is coming under the border with corn tortillas !
1
Both failed.Way to go Trump.From business bankruptcy to political bankruptcy.You're not any good at either.Odds are you owe more money to the Saudis and Russia than you claim to have networth.
22
Gomer Pyle's trademark, "Surprise, surprise, surprise!" seems, being as there is no surprise, succinct and appropriate.
5
Forcing people to work without pay is Slavery. It is not an emergency for government services. It is a failure of the employer to pay for work that has been done.
It might be the Trump way, but it is not the American Way.
All members of Congress should at the very least pass a bill paying all employees not currently furloughed but who have been forced to work. To not do so, is not politics, it is a moral abdication.
It is my belief that all democrats would vote for this. It is also my belief that those across the aisle are crooks who steal peoples time and work. I would hope they prove me wrong.
Regardless this should be against the Constitution and a court case should be implemented on their behalf to go quickly to the Supreme Court. I expect all members of Congress especially Democratic ones to fight not only for a Legislative but Judicial decision to this grotesque state of affairs.
No Member of Congress should speak on anything else until this is resolved.
Furlough is bad, Slavery is an abomination.
17
If the US Senate was a corporation, its ineptitude would need for it to file for bankruptcy.
4
At this point, government workers deserve combat pay.
Opening the government is a non-starter for the GOP. No kidding. This is a dream for them. Not having to pay for working government workers? They're loving it.
Wilbur Ross wonders why unpaid government workers aren't getting loans from banks - that enrich Wall Street even further - claiming that the loans are in essence government backed. Typical fractional-billionaire intellect - you see intelligence is not a factor to becoming rich - just greed and reckless callousness. Will he pay for the ridiculous interest these workers would have to pay??? At least Marie Antoinette offered cake. In this government only trump gets to eat cake - at least two slices. We're lucky if we'd afford a Twinky.
Perhaps the people can take Wilbur's $700 million wealth to give to our citizen government workers - $700 million is but a drop in the GDP bucket.
12
What is it that Putin has over McConnell? Or most of the GOP, for that matter?
Their collective and inexplicable ineptitude raises some serious questions about their allegiances and servitude
11
@Rick
What does Putin have over McConnell and the GOP? Not much. Just a baseball diamond, a train, and a cup of tea.
It's easy to think that Republicans are just horrible people, but the reality is that they're not. There's been a ton of blowback over the shutdown. It's also going to look very bad for them when they have to speak out against slavery, having literally been perpetuating slavery in the 21st century.
(I'm pretty sure forcing people to work without pay and telling them that if they stop working they won't get paid for previous days worked is slavery. As much as they talk about loans, the government isn't going to pay the interest on those loans, are they?)
The Republicans have just demonstrated a willingness to talk. The Democrats have demonstrated a willingness to listen. Now they need to hurry up and hash this out.
Evil thrives when good men do nothing. So let's get this done.
This debacle is past politics. It is now, solely, a moral issue. Trump, Pence, McConnell, and those of their stripes have decided to trash the nobility of public service, their personal integrities, and collective consciences for the express purpose of helping Donald Trump make good on an unthoughtful campaign promise.
16
Trump tweeted: “Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs. Should have been done for decades. We will not Cave!”
Funny he used "cave" while proposing an unworkable caveman solution to a 21st century problem. In medieval time, in additional to walls, they surrounded castles, forts or towns with deep, wide ditch, called moats, as defenses against attacks. Maybe Trump will have a better luck proposing one of those!
7
Let me get this straight. The Republicans who voted AGAINST the Democrats' bill today just voted FOR the same bill back in December. Does none of them have a conscience and care about doing the right thing here? Does none of them have a spine? Under the tutelage of Mitch McConnell, they are all only interested in their own positions in the Senate, and by their actions they appear to care not one whit about the 800,000 Federal workers and the entire country. As George Packer has recently asked, and answered, "Why has the Republican Party become so thoroughly corrupt?" https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2018/12/how-did-republican-party-get-so-corrupt/578095/
64
The NY Times helped create this problem. Stop making it a both sides story. ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS voted for a bill that they now vote no on for NO REASON other than to make public employees suffer. Personally I think the Secret service and ALL employees working without pay should just stop. end it all. thats the only way this will end. the employees have to stand up and refuse to be pawns.
48
@MP, I agree regarding the federal indentured servants. Walk away. Let's see how long the shutdown lasts without the Secret Service around...except then it would be Marines instead.
I honestly think it's going to require a death or a tragedy to end this. The FAA says the air situation is rapidly deteriorating...
2
Since our Congress has failed to do their job let the American people vote for or against wall.
12
Once again, Mitch McConnell chose not to lead. No leadership present; no end in sight.
28
So, 50 votes for a limetime appointment to the supreme court... but 60 votes needed to pass a funding bill.
Am I wrong here, but you only need 60 votes to chut down a fillibuster, right?
7
It is nothing short of shameful and despicable for Trump and the Republican Party to hold the federal government hostage and not pay thousands of workers over Trump's ridiculous and short-sighted wall plan. And I use the word "plan" loosely, as I would never credit Trump with coming up with a plan - in any situation. He delights and excels only in breaking things, as he did with DACA. Unfortunately, these bullying tactics are what we've come to expect from this man. I'm so glad to see Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats stand up to this tyrant. Congressional Republicans should be ashamed for going along with these shenanigans. Our country - and real working Americans who now aren't receiving paychecks and are struggling to feed their families and pay their mortgages - are suffering. We live in sad and discouraging times.
469
@Steve Easy solution: just get Mexico to pay for it like he promised voters (meaning his "base"), many of whom may have voted for him on that basis.
9
@Steve-This shutdown costing an estimated $6.5 billion per week makes no sense unless it's a ploy to prove that the country can work with less government. In business, I've seen it many times: executives mismanaging a company force 15-20 percent cuts (layoffs) across the board so they can show good quarterly numbers. With or without a shutdown Trump and the Republicans intend to make more cuts and it won't be pretty.
4
@Steve. So the democrats have nothing to do with this then? It’s just trump and his republicans? Got it. As if the Dems couldn’t do no wrong.
The key word "Fail," Trump's eventual epitaph.
19
Perhaps a law suit to retroactively claw back all wages paid to members of the House and Senate, and anyone working in the White House, could move things along. That reclaimed money could go into a fund to pay back wages lost by the furloughed federal employees.
Also, any compromise to reopen the governement should include include an Amendment to the Constitution barring any president, any party, and any House or Senate leader from shutting down the government, regardless of the anger thrashing about Washington.
In a recent NPR morning interview, the man without any moral standing, Newt Gingrich, remained proud of what he did in 1995 when he shut down the government. No one should have that much power.
By allowing anyone the power to shut down the government, the ability to negotiate is dimmed as anger increases. And, as the party of secret late-night meetings, and rejection of debate and good-faith negotiations with the loyal opposition, the American People need protections from Republican malfeasance.
Reagan told us "government IS the problem." Well, ever since that declaration of war against common sense, the Republicans have been "the problem." The moment Gingrich entered Congress, the Republican Party became the party of treason through voter suppression, rigging local elections, and thus, front loading the House and Senate with the dullest knives in the drawer.
Their devotion to autocracy has brought us to this destructive point. Make 2020 the year of reform.
27
@David Ohman
Unfortunately amendments to the Constitution, aren't created and passed into law the way you would like. It's a rather long and drawn out process.
Great idea on the claw back, but every federal employee is getting back pay, including the ones not working and on leave. NO vacation or sick pay required.
Get it to the needed contractors that will not get back pay, or have increased opportunities to catch up on work after the shutdown.
Can anyone explain how they could fix this in two weeks if the Democrats bill passed? What can they do in two weeks that they haven't been able to do in the past 34 days?
If you're going to pass something, make it for the remainder of the fiscal year. There's no need to rehash this out every month.
7
@Steven
They wanted to get us paid. All furloughed payroll personnel would be back at work during that time period catching up on/submitting payroll so next payday people WOULD get a paycheck. Hundreds of thousands of those working Americans and their families need their paychecks. This is a deliberate financial strangulation of innocent people.
Those of you who are "financially secure", and have several months of funds available in savings.....good for you, but, you don't live the lives of those that struggle paycheck to paycheck so get off your insensitive, pompous behinds and stop lecturing people. NO ONE DESERVES THIS.
8
exactly. The agencies that are shut down are for the most part the ones dealing with human services. A mean-spirited country with ineffectual politicos operating under a banner of a mythical government of the people. Give over the $5.7 billion for the wall-it's chump change in a multi-trillion dollar economy and stop playing the self-righteous games. Trump will soon be gone.
@RD Yes, they could get paid... Until February 9th. Then we're right back to where we are now. The temporary paychecks would be great, but it wouldn't actually get us any closer to a deal.
Quick resolution? I think everyone would agree it’s too late for that.
6
With apologies in advance to those impacted by my idea, ending the shutdown will not be accomplished by political parties. I blame both but have significant ire for Mitch and his band of wimps.
My idea? Air traffic controllers, TSA agents and border security employees coordinate a one day, unannounced wildcat strike. The government cannot fire them nor take legal action against them as keeping the country shutdown for any period of time is a disaster beyond comprehension. Stock markets will crash and countless people of the world will be impacted but our legislators will quickly grasp the power of everyday people over them, no less get the message that Trump and Congress operate By the People and For the People, not their self serving agenda.
25
pretty remarkable that just a few senators are ignoring the will of an entire nation just to appease a small minority of a country.
how many voters support trump? like 35%? 35% of 49% (only 49% of eligible voters voted)?
wasn't the purpose of the constitution to ensure that the majority of americans aren't held hostage by a smaller group? either the constitution failed or the people we put in power to enact it did.
right?
15
Maybe we should use the bank accounts of the politicians to pay the federal employees they are responsible for laying off ...? Regardless of party.
Americans are Americans. Even newcomers can be Americans. Politicians are something else.
5
Go ahead, keep up the outrage, the shutdown isn't ending. DJT, with Republican support, is using the shutdown as distraction. Distraction from investigations, horrific tax policy, gigantic deficit, etc.
By comparison, the shutdown keeps the public and the media focused on a 5.6 billion wall in a desert, and a few billion in lost wages and productivity impacting people the GOP don't care about.
The activity in the Senate is just more theatre keeping the public entertained while the really impactful issues stay in the background. Just pray for the people who are directly impacted, sadly they're victims and being taken advantage of.
15
I know Congress is mostly full of millionaires and has been for quite some time (so they are insulated from the pain this ridiculous spectacle has brought upon the rank-and-file federal worker hostages). That said, bring to the Senate floor a measure to cease all congressional pay with no backpay until the government is reopened. Everyone else is suffering. Why not them?
6
TSA. Air Traffic Controllers. Pilots. Flight Attendants. Pick one day a week, announce what those days are in advance and shut down the system on those days. Just one day of a shutdown and the problem would be solved.
13
". . . we’ll give two weeks so that we can negotiate an evidence-based, cost-effective, value-respecting way to protect the American people with border security,’ ” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. “That doesn’t seem like a big ask.”
Was that said in earnest or in jest? It seems like a very big ask to me especially when it will involve working with the "goodness of the Republicans in the Senate." That too sounds like a contradiction.
At the end of the day, I just hope both sides of the aisle can make something work so those federal workers can once again begin to bring home a pay check and this country can move forward.
3
Congress and their staff should not be receiving pay - every single government employee from every branch of government. No health insurance for Congress and their dependents until the shutdown ends. This is the most ridiculous thing. The "wall" - aka Homeland Security, Coast Guard, Customs and Border Patrol have not been funded for over 30 days - never mind no FDA inspections, fatigued air traffic control and TSA agents - boy I feel really say, do you?
5
ok- so this is done. Now the House Dems must proffer a Bill with Trump's number but nothing for a wall. They are already working on it. The Trump says "...No..." and the Dems up the ante by saying that some of the 5.7 Billion can go to "...appropriate barriers in appropriate places as determined by Homeland Security...". Then they argue about the exact number for a while.
Then it gets done.
3
Now more than ever:
We must find a way to hold self-interested and self-enriching Elected Politicians, government officials, their staffers and operatives from both parties personally and financially liable, responsible and accountable for the lies and half-truths they have told US, their gross mismanagement of our county, our $22 T and growing national debt (107% of GDP), and our $80 T in future, unfunded liabilities they forced on US jeopardizing our economic and national security, while benefiting themselves, their staffers, their party and special interest donors.
8
The Democrats NEED to give specific details on why they oppose the wall. And they need to do it several times a day. Make sure they are talking to news crews to get as much on-air time and news sites exposure as possible.
They need to focus on the total price tag which is likely to exceed $100 billion, and that a tiny fraction of that amount would beef up border security tremendously without the wall. They need to emphasize that if the wall were 100% effective, it would only impact around 5% of illegal immigrants and drugs.
They need to insert these FACTS into everything they say, just as Trump does. When they say hello to someone, they should also say that "border security and the wall are not the same thing".
They must get the message out often and widespread.
13
@tirebiter Agreed. Democrats have been too vague about their plans for increasing security. They should list the methods that would be more effective than the wall every time it is brought up. Talk about overstayed visas, how many drugs come through legitimate points of entry and through tunnels, etc.
Democrats must also get Republicans who oppose the wall to speak out more and stand with them. Rep. Will Hurst (R) of Texas could be a good ally.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/us/politics/will-hurd-border-wall-trump.html
1
We all know the Republicans could have given Trump money for his wall well before now. Someone should be sticking microphones in front of their faces and asking them why they would not fund a wall for the last two years. Someone should ask them if walls are such great barriers, why were almost 400 immigrants at one time, able to go under a wall through tunnels to get into the country last week.
So now the stalemate continues and government workers continue to suffer. This is unconscionable. There should be consequences. As has been suggested, if there were a real slowdown in checking people through airports by TSA and air traffic controllers by the dozens phoned in sick, there would be a great deal of anger directed at Washington, and then maybe something would happen.
While there is now talk of some sort of bi-partisan bill being hammered out, I honestly don't know what will happen. Would Trump even sign such a bill if it only gave him a picket fence and would there be enough votes to override a veto? How long will all this take? How could Trump be trusted not to rescind anything even before the ink were dry? I don't trust Trump or his Republican pals in the Senate at all. There is absolutely no reason to. Trump changed his mind three times just yesterday about SOTU.
Disgusted and sad for government workers.
9
For all the deserved blame at Donald Trump for this shutdown it's really in Mitch McConnell's lap. But I guess after years of Just Say No to President Obama and joined at the hip with Donald Trump supporters he's lost his identify and has no idea who he is or what's he's supposed to do.
He's living in the past and since both he and his wife are still being paid by the government he appears to have no real interest in resolving this problem.
9
Open the government NOW then work out some REAL legislation. Any resolution to this issue has many moving parts all of which will be debated and measured and sliced and diced. Could take weeks. That's how actual legislation works. It is a mindless exercise to 'compare' these 2 bills.
If the Dems agree to any negotiations without opening government FIRST the Repubs will try to force their 'solution' as a package so any resistance from the dems will make THEM responsible for the shutdown, despite the reality.
So it becomes a new game, and Trump is very good at screaming lies, the more blatant the lie, the louder he screams. His 'base' will be very happy for an excuse to believe the lies.
Now they're in a hurry because Trump's precious family are running their mouths. An updated version of 'Let Them Eat Cake' is their narrative. Are any of them worried about their mortgage, feeding their family, car payments, medical bills ?
Perhaps even Mitch McConnel is capable of embarrassment.
4
@Titia Fluit
Thanks for your words. And don’t look too hard over the eastern horizon.
The country is becoming more vulnerable every day. Who would want this to continue? What is really driving Trump? A wall? or the prospect of garnering favor with Vladimir Putin. Perhaps Putin is behind this and that's what it's all about. Think about it.
5
Everyone, please stop saying "800,000 federal workers."
It's 800,000 workers. 800,000 taxpayers. 800,000 Americans. 800,000 people deliberately taken as hostages by the President of the United States.
If you want to consider the federal affiliation of these 800,000 American citizens, my wife among them, consider them as 800,000 people who work on behalf of all of us as a nation. 800,000 people who add their strength to the engines of America, the things that bind us together as a country.
Trump's hostage-taking is an attack on The United States itself. He's trying to fly a 9/11 airliner branded "Trump" into the Constitution. Don't let him get away with it.
18
Where are the AFL-CIO members, the teachers, police, and fire unions. Where are the teamsters, electrical workers and steelworker.
Unions are losing because unionized workers are all about themselves. Unions leadership sold out the the republican party in 1980 and workers rights were the currency Management beat you and your are like whipped dogs.
3
Give Trump the budget for his wall. Then block its construction with zoning by-laws.
1
Eminent domain
1
Just 8 more votes and Republican Classic moderates can break the strangle hold of the Trump anarchists
Just 8 more votes and either McConnell either opens up the radical conservative's bottleneck or another Republican can be made Leader
Just 8 more votes to return to regular order.
One can hope
5
Not the first to notice, but the Minority bill got more votes in a Majority-controlled Senate. I can’t even think when that’s happened before. Trump is doomed.
27
Remember Trump said he would be proud to own the shutdown and that he would not blame the Democrats. This might be his most documented lie and if the Republicans continue to support him we are entering an even darker time. Hard to believe one mans ego can threaten our nation.
23
@Dave Mexico paying for the wall is his most documented lie.
1
@Dave
Sorry dave but not difficult at all. Caesar, Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini and a myriad of other vile, dangerous ego driven leaders since the beginning of time.
trump is a liar and a bad one at that.
ho no longer changes his prior comments he just states that they are lies borne in thwe caverns of the news mdia and the democratic left.
1
Someone needs to remind McConnell that he does not work for the President. Trump's childish behavior should not surprise anyone but McConnell has no excuse for not standing up to him - that in in part what he was elected to do. McConnell could end this if he wanted to by cobbling enough support to override a veto which is really Trump's only way to save face now.
457
@JDG Mitch McConnell is petrified that at his advanced age and position that he will be "primaried" by the party of Trump.
23
@Tim Maybe if Mitch lost his Senate job he could retire someplace and allow the country to perhaps have a functioning government with the checks and balances written in the U.S Constitution.
As it is now, McConnell is running interference for a childish politician who whines, intimidates, calls people names, crosses his arms, and bullies his adversaries.
Mitch needs to get real.
23
@JDG-McConnell's callousness matches Trump's. His home state, Kentucky, is the second most dependent state on federal money, 47th in poverty rates, confronts an epidemic in black-lung epidemic and an opiod crisis, and jobs' growth comes from building private prisons as the state has the 9th highest rate of incarceration in the nation. McConnell's policies are openly hostile to his state and cruel to the rest of the country. As he accepted $2.5 million from an oligarch associated with Purtin, it's clear where his allegiance lies.
https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/12/15/putins-proxies-helped-funnel-millions-gop-campaigns
15
No. Neither The House nor the Senate should negotiate with the White House. The government should reopen. Period. The President has threatened a witness in an ongoing legal suit. Criminal. The President has used U.S. citizens as hostages in a political policy battle. Unfit for office. Now he gets the reality based on his actions. Not on what everyone wishes were different/normal . Not on pretending he is capable of Admiinistration much less leadership. He is unfit to give a State of the Union address. He has proven he unfit to govern.
11
44 GOP Senators voted against a bill they had voted for before Xmas. They serve Trump (and by extension Putin); not the country.
14
“Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs."
That's a baldfaced lie and everyone knows it. Mr. Trump has dug in his heels to build a solid monument to himself. He's dragging millions of Americans into misery in his tantrum but he doesn't care about others' pain, just his own prospects.
I just read an analysis of what's going on in Venezuela and it seems to be an unfortunate consequence of the two major political parties working too much in concert. But Mr. McConnell and the Republicans (since Newt Gingrich, I think) have taken this country too far in the other direction. We are paralyzed by pure political gamesmanship with zero Republican interest in constructive compromise. It's not Venezuela but in their own way the Republicans are killing this country.
377
@Jonathan Without boasting, let me say that I am steeped in the issue of human trafficking. Very little of what constitutes human trafficking comes over the border with Mexico. (It does, but it is a relatively minor part of the overall issue). Human trafficking in North America is primarily sex trafficking, and its victims come into the United States on airlines (Atlanta airport is a leading gateway for sex trafficked victims), or via Canada.
Most sex trafficking victims in the U.S. are (a) either women/men from Eastern Europe, Russian satellite nations (Chechnya, Belarus, et al) or they are HOME GROWN -- i.e., young teenagers who are scooped up on city street corners and end up under the control of rival gangs who buy, swap and trade young women and girls as if they were inanimate objects.
Trump has no idea about human trafficking. If anyone wants to learn about the issue, please visit the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati (freedom center.org) which has the nation's only museum quality exhibit on human trafficking.
28
@Jonathan
Another great thought....the wall would be the trump wall, like the trump tower and he would be ever so excited about that. Great insight.
Once again, Senate Democrats have torpedoed and voted against a solution for DACA and dreamers, leaving their status in legal limbo again.
The Rebublicans are the only ones that seem to even care about it. The Republican plan is not perfect and only provides temporary protections but it least advances the ball down the field toward an overall solution to the problem.
The Democratic party is beholden to their billionaire donors and their radical left wing base that wants to only use the DACA issue to win elections but never actually solve the problem, or other problems.
America is watching.
5
@johnny If the problem is with Democrats, then why did 44 Republican senators vote against a funding bill that they had voted for previously?
8
@johnny, Your comment is either merely false and ignorant or downright malicious. A three-year temporary extension of DACA (in light of Monday's Supreme Court refusal to hear the lower court case) does close to nothing for DACA recipients who are in the clear for at least a year. DACA recipients want permanent status not temporary extension. The GOP is much more beholden to plutocrats. I wonder if you are actually even an American, comrade!
6
Nonsense. The Democrats have always strongly advocated reauthorizing DACA by Congressional legislation, and repeatedly attempted immigration legislation that included DACA, even at one point offering 25 billion for Trump’s wall. And, besides, Trump’s latest offer doesn’t ‘solve the problem’ but only suggests punching snooze for 3 years; actually solving the problem would be providing a path to citizenship, which he and his GOP refuse to do. Instead, they’ve chosen to default funding 25% of our government and workers, budgeted spending that previous myriad Congressional legislation created, in a crude hostage holding attempt to force Congress to tack on to a funding appropriations bill 5 billion in new spending for something that has never had the votes to pass Congress by regular legislation authorizing it, and this all the while the GOP held majorities in both houses of Congress.
1
If there must be a compromise to reopen government, it should be a reasonable one. How about raising the cap on Social Security, or raising the Federal minimum wage, or both. The $5 billion could be earmarked for a feasibility study, or surveys on the practicality of, and/or need for a wall. Later, vote on whether or not it should be built, and how to fund it if so,
2
@michaeltide Why must there be a compromise to open the government? Opening the government has nothing to do with policies other than funding a functioning government. This is a hostage situation.
5
@michaeltide
Lift the cap on earnings re FICA to incomes up to $700,000.00/year. That might get Trump $5.7 billion, but sets a dangerous precedent.
@justin, I said, "if there must" with the emphasis on the "if." The important thing now is to get the government workers paid.
I don’t understand why so many republican law makers are so afraid of opposing a president who in all probability won’t even be around in four months.
16
Where does Trump come off complaining about Democrats when he couldn't even break 50 votes for his tailor-made plan in a Republican Senate?
The votes weren't there his first two years, and they aren't there now. I know Trump isn't much for unpleasant information, but do you suppose he can even count?
19
Democrats shut down the government in 2018 over DACA. They voted for 700 miles of fencing and barriers in the past. Apparently scoring political points against the President is more important than defending our borders and making sure federal workers are paid.
3
@Kirby The vast majority of people oppose a wall on its own. This is not "scoring points." It is about not allowing Trump to set a precedent.
3
Yes, clever my friend. Create a crisis and then blame the other side for not doing what we want to solve it.
over and over i read that 60 votes are needed to pass either senate bill on reopening the government. but nowhere have i seen why this is so. at first i thought it was to ensure a veto-proof majority. but now that the democratic bill has failed with a 51-47 vote majority, i see that that cannot be true.
so what, please, is the reason? does anyone know?
1
@cliff barney; it's to break a filibuster. Overriding a veto takes 2/3 (67 if everyone votes).
3
@cliff barney They held a cloture vote, which is how they can impose a time limit on the consideration of a bill and steer clear of a filibuster. Cloture votes require approval by three-fifths of the Senate, or 60 votes.
1
I noticed that four Republicans voted for the Democratic proposal i.e., Collins, Udall, Romney, and Whitehouse.
Too bad there are less than a half-dozen GOP members taking their jobs seriously and taking this country's citizens' well-being, as well as our national security, seriously.
There have been people in each state voting to tear down monuments to bigotry, while the Trump party votes to promote his.
In light of what just went on, the rest of this GOP should work for the private sector.
They need to be fired.
6
@Jbugko Whitehouse is a Democrat.
Joe Manchin, OTOH, is also a Democrat who did not vote to end the shutdown. He was just re-elected in a very red state and it was a squeaker for him.
The next election starts by voting out those who did not vote at all. Note the Democratic. But where were the usually very vocal Senator Paul and Senator Risch?
2
If former Republican state legislators in Kansas can figure out that the Republican Party has practically destroyed their state and is determined to finish the job then some Republicans in Congress should realize that their party is doing the same to the entire nation.
11
Trump and the GOP own this latest political charade, too! They never had the votes for their wall through regular Congressional legislative order. So, instead, they’ve defaulted funding for 25% of our government and workers, which have all previously been legislated and budgeted through regular order, and are, thus, properly included in funding appropriations, unlike Trump’s out-of-the-blue executive demand to tack on 5 billion in funds for spending that has never been approved by regular Congressional legislation. They abusing power to try and circumvent Congressional approval by literally holding hostage funds that Congress had already agreed to spend and now owes. That’s called DEFAULT. It’s theft, by not paying what you rightly owe. What it is not is a ‘both sides’ budget battle. Funding appropriations bills are not budgets or for new spending, They are what you already owe for spending what you’re already committed to. Trump, McConnell, and the rest, are defrauding the federal constituency by their choice to default.
9
Mr. Trump fired his explanation on Twitter: “Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work."
Congress already voted with a veto proof margin on what they wanted to do in December. All they have to do is vote again in same way and the government can be reopened and people go back to work and they can work to determine the best means of securing the border. They don't need Trump. He can veto and they override. It's done. Trump can even avoid looking like he caved. He can blame Congress. If he blames congress rather than just trying to save face he runs the risk of looking silly when they solve it without him.
However the Senate Republicans, including McConnell, are afraid of Trump who in turn is afraid of Coulture, Hannity, and Limbaugh so they lack the resolve to do what they've already done before. The Senate and Representatives could work it out and tell Trump what to do. But those who had one idea in December now feel that only Trump's idea will do. And we will pay for it, not Mexico.
10
Last night on Last Word with Laurence O'Donnell, a clip was broadcasted of a distraught woman, who identified herself as a furloughed guard at the Museum of Natural History, out side of Senator McConnell's office saying she was going to be evicted from her apartment because of not getting paid.
It was horrifying to watch. All I could think of was a class action suit against the White House. It's implausible to think of such a thing, but there's a first time for everything and the circumstances of having an imbecile for a president makes it plausible.
8
We could have predicted these results days ago so what's newsworthy here isn't the indecisive non-Bipartisan legislative branch but more the inability for lawmakers to draft proposals to benefit the American public. They're pretty good at writing one sided proposals in a vacuum.
Lead, Follow or Get out of the Way.
Making America Gag Again
3
$200 million dollars not paid to innocent government employees every day.
That is $200 million every day that is taken away from adults, children, babies that depend on that money to come in for housing, healthcare, and food - minimally.
For what? Because a 70 something rich man from New York has an issue with people from other lands....
18
@MIMA
Over and over, year after year, Americans state they are fed up with illegal immigration and want measurable reduction and change to broken legal immigration.
@Maggie You need to learn about how our government works. Don't confuse the issue at hand by conflatingTrump's shutdown with policy decisions about immigration, which undergo different congressional processes.This is about an appropriations bill. You can't shutdown the government over policy debate about immigration.
Keep the Government closed Mr. President. Donald's approval is down to 35% down 8% in the last week. Priceless.
7
Where is the GOP and POTUS leadership? Why aren’t they doing their JOB? These people were elected to uphold the US Constitution, not to run the Koch brothers playbook. Nauseating. One tiny triumph last night when my Trump voting neighbor told me that he is sorry he voted for the man, and will not do so in 2020.
12
All of this suffering for a wall that would be of little consequence to our immigration issues and would quickly fall into disrepair.
What excites me about this is that the wall will never be built. Trump will not be President before construction could start. That the next President should be sane I have to believe
6
@Satyaban Sorry, I meant to say Trump will be out of office before construction could and the next administration won't build.
President Trump knows it's now or never for the wall. Without the "shut down" to back him he's left without the votes, without the facts, and without the support of the American people. How is he supposed to get this done?
8
@Burly5 The shutdown is his to continue or reopen government. I hope he can not get things done because his chore list is appalling to me.
He made an issue of immigration/security and invaders coming at our southern border. He wanted his farce to reinforce a need for a wall. The need for a wall is not supported by any empirical evidence, the Americans who live along the intended path do not want it.
Trump is going to get canned, kicked to the curb next election. If he got the money he would not have the time to organize the scheme.
Should improve border security, sure why not but not a physical wall like the Dark Ages and before.
Dems voted against the wall and against using a shutdown as a negotiation tactic.
Repubs voted for the wall and against paying workers during negotiations.
16
Until the Republicans in the senate come to their senses this will continue. They and Trump are idiots who should cut their losses since it's killing them in the country. Around 60% of the country holds them responsible, Trump's approval is at 34%, and we now have Trump's minions like Ross and Kudlow making unbelievably dumb statements of the let them eat cake variety. Apparently Kudlow sees the shutdown as a glitch and thinks most unpaid federal workers are turning up out of loyalty to Trump. It's probably going to take a major walkout probably in the aviation industry to produce a crisis in air travel to break the log jam.
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@John Starting now, let's ALWAYS refer to this shutdown every time it's written and spoken as what it really is: the Trump-McConnell Shutdown. Drag both through the mud that they made.
3
This shutdown is rapidly marching us to the point where the military is the only federal entity with any real power - and that is a rather frightening thought for a democracy.
5
Spineless.
Republicans, I know you want to support your president, but shouldn't you be supporting a stronger legislative branch? There are solutions here that will make this country more secure without bankrupting us or ruining many first-rate institutions.
7
McConnell won't bring to a vote a bill the President won't sign.
Meanwhile, Trump will advance a bill that Congress won't pass.
This is what failed leadership looks like.
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I want hear from all of those republican senators who voted for the clean CR in December (unanimously I might add) defend their “No” vote on the House
proposal?
8
So last month every Senator regardless of party voted yes, and this time around 44 Republicans filibustered - voted to refuse to even discuss the same plan? Our federal workers are scrambling and struggling and some are considering taking their expertise to new careers. The Senators took an oath to the Constitution, not to the President or Fox News. They should be ashamed of themselves for how they're hurting our country.
14
Trump’s only plan is to listen to Putin, who desires a destabilized, unfunded government. The longer the shutdown, the weaker the court system becomes, and thus the more automatic Trump can act. Yesterday he should have been charged with witness tampering, for instance. Instead of waking up and stopping Trump, Republicans, even Romney and Collins, vote with him. We need to do what Venezuela just did yesterday, declare another leader as our true president.
5
I usually understand Republican strategy, but I don't know what talking points they will make to counter voting no on a bill that (as being reported) simply paid people for a short interim. It's especially stunning since the vote occurred after the other proposed bill was already voted down. To me, it sends a clear signal that they don't care very much about government workers not getting paid.
I'm also astounded by the fear the Republican party is able to invoke about the sudden urgency for a wall - so urgent that they can't pay people for a few weeks while the issue gets sorted out.
10
They should be holding votes all the time... this idea that they only vote on things that might pass is crazy...
It says as much about a legislator, what they don't vote on, as what they do...
With Dems running the house, the best thing they could do is churn out policy after policy, send them up, and highlight just how obstructive Mitch McConnell is when he repeatedly refuses to vote on anything at his Senate level.
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@J
But, this is not really how politicians work. This side or that side does not matter. A politician is a politician ("moral sides" don't exist to them).
1
@J
Pelosi has been churning out bill after bill to fund the government. McConnell blocked all of them.
34
@J They've sent 10 bills so far. That seems like a lot atm.
9
When the Democrats hold their Convention, they will put a wall around it.
Now why would they do that.
What does it accomplish.
It's immoral.
2
Only six Republicans voted to open the government. They have earned a reputation for being Trump's lackeys for a generation.
6
Could anyone have predicted that the competing bills to end the government shutdown would both fail?
Does a bear you-know-what in the woods?
3
Pride is considered a bad thing. But some pride is needed to look yourself in the mirror. How is it possible that so many Republican senators (United States Senators!) don't have a shred of it?
6
I think 800,000 government workers should feel the flu coming on. It appears that will be the only Trumpdown cure.
6
This is not even about an actual wall it is about Trump's tantrum at not getting his way and the GOP truing to appease his childish demands. 60% of America does NOT want a wall.
* It is not about crime...immigrants commit less crime than Americans.
* It is not about drugs, most deaths due to legally prescribed opioids and most drugs are coming in through legal ports of entry or by other means such as by sea, air even catapulted over barriers or flown over by drones.
* It is not about "asylum caravans" which arrive at legal ports of entry.
* It is not about illegal aliens as a large portion came legally and then over stayed their visas.
* it IS about Trumps ego and willingness to extort American taxpayers after the GOP just added $2 trillion to our deficit with their "TaxScam"
* Why did Trump not get his wall while the GOP controlled both houses?
* Why was government shut down entirely by the GOP even before Democrats were sworn in in January?
Does anyone doubt for a minute that if Dems cave on this that Trump won't just shut it all down everytime he does not get his way?
Dems are doing us a favor by standing up to his tantrums where the GOP is encouraging them.
13
At least the New York Times is listing how each Senator voted--or the most coward ones who didn't vote at all. Name and shame these scoundrels who will NEVER suffer or be HUNGRY during Trumps Shutdown (like that guy couldn't stand to lose a meal--or ten.)
3
Neither party should view this as anything but a referendum on his unchecked stupidity and recklessness. Trump started this and he can end it with the stroke of a pen. Hopefully by now the GOP has recognized that #45 has run out of sugar to lavish them with and it's time to dump him and move on. I deeply hope Democrats refuse to yield and pave the way for him to use this hammer again in the future.
4
Only 6 Republicans thought it a reasonable notion to keep the government from shutting down any longer and open it up for a few weeks.
Only 6.
No wonder they're not declaring themselves the party of fiscal prudence these days. Not the party of Lincoln, either. Nor can they quote Reagan's "Tear Down the Wall" speech without looking like hypocritical oafs. Nor can they call themselves "moral" or the "majority" either.
What can they call themselves, really.
A disgrace.
I don't even know how they can call themselves anything but Trump's Know-Nothing Party and a pack of cowardly sniveling venal toadies.
And that's on a GOOD day.
11
Lets see the vote breakdown by name !
2
Senator Shelby's comment about "beginning of the end, end of the beginning" reminds me of the closing lines of old 1950s sci-fi movies where giant radioactive cockroaches are threatening the planet. I find the current Republican party similarly scarily threatening, to the whole planet.
3
Compromise, is 2 parties working together to come to a solution. The democrats say it's my way or nothing, how many times have they lied about what they will do? Everytime this issue comes up it will be the last time we give amnesty, but it's not. They want to flood this country with immigrants to stay in power. You give people everything they want ,they will keep voting for you. That is the treasonous Democrat party today.
2
@Jim Obama (a Democrat) deported more undocumented individuals in any year than Trump, despite his bile, roughly 200-300K per year. Did you know GW Bush proposed a bill providing $4.4 billion to fund a 700 mile border wall? Bush also favored blanket amnesty to 12 million existing undocumented Latinos, and it wasn't to placate the Democratic Party. It was wise and humane; they're here, get them into the tax system.
What a national nightmare
6
The smug wealthy senators can walk away from this presidential contrivance with a well-paid smirk...our government has become disgustingly self-satisfied and shambolic. This two-party farce ruled by Big Corporations needs to end.
5
This will end when the airports are not functioning and become too dangerous. Pompous blowhard empty suits like Lindsay Graham are strutting their stuff now before gullible cable news outlets but will run like roaches when some of the feared dangers begin appearing.
4
The Trump Administration is vying to be the worst Administration ever.
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@Hugh Gordon McIsaac. They won that crown on their election day.
2
@Hugh Gordon McIsaac
Vying?
Goal reached in 1/2 the time of the next worst. Trump can be proud they he is the best of the worst!
Deriliction of Duty, Senators!!
Shame on everyone of you.
18
It's McCONNELL'S FOLLY. And 800,000 Americans are having to pay for it. Gutless Republicans living off the backs of people living paycheck-to-paycheck.
2020 is JUST around the corner.
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@Lissa
800,000 is just the tip of the iceberg. Tons more are directly supported by the 800,000.
Plus, there are the contractors who work alongside us, and all the people who rely on our spending to support their own families....
a) the laid off who might otherwise be providing child care,
b) the laid off and the now-out-of-business who might otherwise be providing us coffee or lunch,
c) the contractors workers like me intended to hire this year to do work on our houses. I was about to buy desperately needed new windows for my old house. which would have been installed by local workmen. Yes, I will see my pay eventually (which won't cover it), but no, I will not feel comfortable enough to borrow like I planned until McConnell and Trump are history.
d) my hair stylist, who was only available for me yesterday because most of her clients had cancelled.
10
@Lydia
Add to this the 50,000 Coast Guard retirees (military veterans) who are not getting paid as well. Many are on fixed incomes and aren't able to work to support themselves during the shutdown. Is this a way to thank those who labored and fought to keep American safe? Where are the legislators who claim they love the military?
1
All this for a wall, that nobody needs? Oh, dear!
20
It’s important to give the carnival barker from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and the gutless enabler, Mitch McConnell, as many figurative punches in the mouth as necessary to end this shutdown.
21
I think it's time for a march on the Capitol Hill to end the shutdown.
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@Julie Head
Ha. Better luck with a "social media' movement that does nothing.
Has the evil malign son of Confederate Alabama aka Addison Mitchell McConnell,Jr. checked with and gotten permission from his smiling and smirking dummy pawn pet puppet masters aka Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin and Mohammed bin Salman about these "test votes"?
Has Confederate Kentucky Colonel Addison checked with Senior White House Advisers Jared " Hidden Genius" Kushner and Ivanka " First Daughter of First illegal Alien Wife" Trump to get their "sage wise " advice on these " test votes" ?
22
How can you blame this on democrats!
11
Trump is evil. Period. Full stop. Mr Mueller must arrest trump and take power to end all evil.
15
Hey Donny boy…I have the solution about your problem with the wall.
All you have to do is to take down the dictator of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro and in no time the new government of Venezuela will pay for the wall..then you tell the American people that you misspoke that is was not Mexico that was going to pay for the wall but Venezuela.. problem solved. !!!
You’ll have your stupid wall and the Venezuela people will have gotten rid of a dictator. !! A win win situation. !!!
8
Pass a veto proof bill and get this over with
You did not get elected to hold the country hostage over some childish boor of a President
Think of the dedicated 800,000 federal employees whom you are screwing over for Trump
You would be resigning if you had any character
26
These people are ridiculous. I'm so weary of their egomania and pettiness -- they're more concerned with "winning" than they are with serving we the people (you know, their employers.) Trumpelthinskin doesn't care about the American people -- why would a man with decades of greedy self-centeredness behind him suddenly give a damn about about 350 million strangers? He's malevolent and wants to watch the world burn, and delights in watching others suffer (he loves winners and mocks losers.) But if he really DOES want this ridiculous wall that can be breached with ladders and shovels, it's solely so he can consider it the absolute greatest monument ever to the supposedly greatest man ever.
6
The sanctimonious hypocrisy of the man who obstructed the Obama presidency at every turn is nauseating. How stupid does Mitch McConnell think we are not to remember what he did just a few short years ago?
27
Why don’t we just deport Trump and his loathsome brood and be done with it.
10
51-47.Looks like the only ones for it are those that are in gerrymadering districts.Where it only matters that they are Republican and wear MAGA red hats.The two Democrats must have gotten free rounds of golf at Mar-A-Lago.
5
@jd
This is the Senate there aren't any gerrymandered districts. Essentially six Republicans bolted to support the Democratic bill. One Democrat (Manchin) bolted to support the Republican bill.
3
This immoral Senate voting result was expected and was just an unnecessary waste of time. All American must unite and protest against this bunch of cathatonic and disloyal GOP politicians. .
8
A majority of the Senate (and these Senators represent an even more significant majority of Americans) voted to reopen the government without wasting taxpayer money on giving the hostage-taking Trump a wall to protect him from the likes of Ann Coulter.
Unfortunately most of the Republicans blocked the will of the majority of the Senate.
6
“Very simply, without a Wall it all doesn’t work. Our Country has a chance to greatly reduce Crime, Human Trafficking, Gangs and Drugs. Should have been done for decades. We will not Cave!”
A wall Wouldn’t address Any of the problems You Outline here, mr. President! look It up!
(Maybe he’ll understand if we adopt his style of random capitilization.)
35
This can be ended by the weekend. The Democrats have to accept the level of border security funding advocated by the President. But they should add to the package offsetting expenditures and/or provisions outside the subject matter of border security. Then, when the whole thing passes, declare victory.
I never heard any Democratic grumbling when Obama was deporting people at a record pace.
4
@RM
Obama's deportation rate has nothing to do with Trump building a wall. Democrats are even offering the same dollar amount he wants for the wall, for better security options than a wall. Your insistence that this is on the democrats and your argument for backing it up suggest that you aren't going to listen to reason on any of this and that you probably just hate democrats.
2
@RMYou never heard any Democratic grumbling when Obama was deporting people? Perhaps because it was more effective, as you cannot tunnel under a deportation.
3
Nothing will happen before the weekend. They are leaving today for a long weekend. Ironic that the holiday is Presidents Day!
Here is how this standoff will end: Congress will allocate $5.7 billion for border security, with proviso that none of the funds can be used for physical barriers. Trump will sign the bill, and reopen government. Then Trump will divert the authorized funds to physical barriers, disregarding the restriction. The House will vote a bill of impeachment on that ground (as well as possibly others). The impeachment trial in the Senate will fail to obtain the 2/3 vote needed for removal from office.
7
@Allan Marain interesting, and that may likely play out, hopefully followed by a landslide loss for Trump in 2020.
I don’t know about the impeachment portion of your post (that is, over the wall), but I think you’re right that Trump will do everything possible to divert that $5.7 billion to building his Big Beautiful Wall. Hannity, Coulter, and Limbaugh won’t have it any other way.
1