Republicans are still in a terrible situation on health care; they will either give in to Democratic demands or suffer painful electoral consequences. That will play out regardless of appropriations. But ensuring that legislative funding actually gets spent was something tied directly to the shutdown fight that Democrats had within their power to control.
The Republicans now own the reopening of the government on Trump’s terms, and they have a real problem when it comes to the cost crisis. Whether that helps the Democrats depends entirely on how the Democrats play it.
The shutdown enabled the Democrats to highlight the Republicans’ withdrawal of health coverage from millions of Americans, and Trump’s withholding food stamps—while he was praising himself for building a ballroom and rebuilding the Lincoln bathroom—only accelerated his descent in the polls.
Multiple Democratic groups, House members, and candidates say it’s time for the Senate minority leader to go. It turns out any single Senate Democrat can force a vote on Schumer’s job.
Turning off the logistically complicated SNAP system—which relies on the federal government, states, and private companies to function in concert—and then trying to turn it back on quickly is no easy task.
The Prospect’s Weekly Roundup:
The Shutdown Cave and the Next Health Care Fight
David Dayen and Bob Kuttner look at the politics and policy of the end of the government shutdown. You can catch the Weekly Roundup live every Fridayat12:30 PM ET/9:30 AM PT, or watch it back anytime on our YouTube channel.
The American Prospect
