Shutdown Showdown Underway.
Top Democrats are demanding a meeting with President Donald Trump, as Congress heads toward a shutdown deadline in 10 days without a clear off-ramp.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries sent a letter to Trump on Saturday, accusing him of wanting a shutdown and urging Republicans to negotiate.
“With the September 30th deadline fast approaching, Republicans will bear responsibility for another painful government shutdown because of the refusal of GOP congressional leadership to even talk with Democrats,” Schumer and Jeffries wrote.
“As a result, it is now your obligation to meet with us directly to reach an agreement to keep the government open and address the Republican healthcare crisis,” they added.
By Jordain Carney, ‘Politico’
Government shutdowns have been a third rail of American politics for 30 years with no signs of abating. The party not in the White House often uses this leverage to exact what they want out of the budget negotiations with great hopes they won’t be blamed by the general public. The party not blamed for the shut down is usually regarded as the winner in the dramatic high stakes game. In this political environment is anyones guess who will be the winner or loser.
