Democrats are considering a potential government shutdown as they engage in negotiations with Republicans over government funding. Their strategy lacks a definitive endgame, focusing instead on demonstrating resolve. The party has released a stopgap funding bill to gather support, but internal divisions persist, with some Democrats hesitant to fully commit.
While some Democratic senators have indicated openness to Republican funding proposals, the situation remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Republicans are working to secure their own legislative proposals, highlighting the ongoing political tension and the potential impact on government operations. The Senate GOP is also set to confirm 48 nominees Thursday with a single vote, after Republicans changed the chamber’s rules to allow batch confirmations of most executive nominees and district court judges.
The group includes picks from the Energy and Defense Departments, as well as Kimberly Guilfoyle, nominated to be ambassador to Greece, and Callista Gingrich, nominated to be ambassador to Switzerland. D.C. officials are set to appear before Congress on Thursday for the first time since Trump temporarily assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed the National Guard throughout the capital city. Mayor Muriel Bowser, Council Chair Phil Mendelson, and Attorney General Brian Schwalb will face tough questioning from Republicans on their handling of crime in the District, even as it reported a 30-year low in violent crime last year.