GOP Says Only Trump Can Avert U.S. Gov’t Shutdown

Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill say Washington is headed for a government shutdown next week unless President Trump intervenes to cut a deal with Democrats, Alexander Bolton reported for The Hill.

Senate Democrats on Friday voted overwhelmingly to defeat the House-passed measure, which, given GOP absences, failed to win even a simple majority on the floor.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said repeatedly he does not want to sit down with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to negotiate a deal to keep the government open past September 30, telling reporters he wants the stopgap funding measure to move by “regular order.”

Under Senate rules, that requires 60 votes to advance, meaning Democratic support is necessary.

Senate Democrats on Friday voted overwhelmingly to defeat the House-passed measure, which, given GOP absences, failed to win even a simple majority on the floor.

Centrist Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote for it.

Democrats argue it is now time for Thune to negotiate, as it is clear he does not have the 60 votes needed to pass the seven-week House funding bill.

But Republican sources familiar with Senate dynamics say Thune does not want to begin negotiations with Schumer until he knows what Trump is willing to accept — and Trump has yet to give the GOP leader clear guidance on what he would sign into law.

Thune has said the White House needs to weigh in before any deal is reached, noting that while his staff has been in contact with White House aides, he has yet to speak directly to Trump on the matter.

Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) said Trump is the biggest obstacle to an agreement. “Trump has said he’s told Republicans not to negotiate. Makes no sense, obviously. We’ve got to negotiate,” he said.