House Democrats Have a Plan to End Shutdown

Democrats retake control of the House this week, and they plan two quick moves designed to end the government shutdown. First, they will pass a bill on Thursday to fund the Homeland Security department until Feb. 8—though without providing the $5 billion for a border wall demanded by President Trump, reports the Washington Post. Second, they will pass six separate bills to reopen currently shuttered federal agencies, and the bills would keep the agencies running through Sept. 30. One big problem: The Senate would then have to pass the measures, too, and Politico does not think Republicans in that chamber will go along.

The Hill, however, sees some hope on ending the shutdown. Separating the bills puts pressure on Mitch McConnell and Trump "to at least pass the six-bill package" and put most of the government back in business, writes Juliegrace Brufke. Also, the president may see the one-month postponement of the border-wall fight as a way to save face with his base. Monday is day 10 of the partial government shutdown, and the impasse over money for a border wall remains the key sticking point. (More government shutdown stories.)