Instead of working with the Senate and the president to come up with a bipartisan funding bill that funds the border wall and reopens the government, Pelosi and her Democrats have decided that unilateral kabuki theater is a better solution:
Hse ok's combined bill to re-open most shuttered parts of the government. The vote was 241-190. 7 GOPers joined Dems & voted yea. The measure puts together six of the seven unresolved appropriations bills in 1 package and runs those areas of the government through Sept 30
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 4, 2019
The GOP tried to strip out the new abortion funding measures, but as you’d expect, failed:
The House has rejected a procedural maneuver by Republicans to strip the six-bill spending package of the so-called “Mexico City Policy” or “gag rule” when it comes to abortion. Democrats rejected the GOP effort, 232 to 199.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 4, 2019
Kabuki theater indeed. The Senate says the bill is a non-starter and Trump has vowed to veto the bill:
Using their new majority, House Democrats passed legislation Thursday to reopen the shuttered parts of the government — but Senate Republicans said the moves are a non-starter, and the White House issued a veto threat as well, signaling the partial shutdown will go on.
Trump has called a meeting tomorrow morning, but it probably won’t change much…
President Trump has called a meeting at the White House Friday morning to see if progress can be made on a deal now that a new Congress is seated.
But the meeting will include most of the same congressional leaders who have struggled to reach a deal after Mr. Trump insisted he needed billions of dollars in new wall money as part of any new funding deal.
When Republicans controlled the House and Democrats controlled both the Senate and the Presidency, all we heard was since Republicans only controlled the one of the three, they should submit to Democrats. And the House largely did.
But I’m sure now that the shoe is on the other foot, Trump and Republicans will be told that Democrats have the voters support as they were just given power in the House and that Republicans should yield to the Democrats. Just wait, I’m sure it’s coming if it hasn’t already.
UPDATE: Here are the seven Republicans who voted for Nancy Pelosi’s kabuki government shutdown bill:
Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)
Will Hurd (TX)
John Katko (NY)
Peter King (NY)
Elise Stefanik (NY)
Fred Upton (MI)
Greg Walden (OR)
It’s possible that some of these could have voted to keep up appearances in their liberal districts, knowing full well the Senate won’t take up the bill. Or maybe they really want it to pass. Just something to consider.