Speaker Paul Ryan said Thursday that he's confident that the GOP-controlled House will pass a stopgap government-wide funding bill, even as growing opposition from Senate Democrats made prospects in that chamber increasingly dicey. (Jan. 18) AP
As the Senate wrestles with the prospect of a government shutdown, President Trump took to Twitter Friday to cast blame the Democrats and use the latest budget impasse to promote GOP candidates in this year's elections.
Noting that the House passed a temporary funding bill Thursday night, Trump said that "now Democrats are needed if it is to pass in the Senate - but they want illegal immigration and weak borders. Shutdown coming?"
He added, alluding to the coming elections, "we need more Republican victories in 2018!"
The shutdown spat seems likely to affect Trump's schedule, perhaps canceling a planned trip to Florida.
Trump is scheduled to leave Washington late Friday afternoon for another weekend at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., one that would include a special fundraising dinner that would mark his one-year anniversary in office on Saturday.
On Friday morning, however, the White House put out a statement saying the president will remain in Washington until a government funding measure is passed.
Democrats and some Senate Republicans object to the House-approved spending plan for a variety of reasons.
Many Democrats want it to included authorization of a program designed to block deportation of people who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents. Trump has vowed to end the the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unless Congress comes up with a legislative fix.
Others note that the House spending bill funds the government only up to Feb. 16, and that Congress will simply re-litigate these issues again next month unless they are dealt with now.
More: House passes short-term spending bill, but legislation faces long odds in Senate
More: Trump's first year: President spent 38 weekends at his own properties
Republicans control both the Senate and the House, but Democrats are hopeful of capturing majorities after the November elections. Trump's latest attack on the Democrats came a day after he visited a congressional district in Pennsylvania that is holding a special House election in March.
If the Senate is unable to pass a spending plan – opponents may have the numbers to filibuster it – parts of the government will shut down at midnight. A shutdown would not affect the military or other essential services.