Democratic Leaders Hesitant to Wage Shutdown Over Disagreements With Trump Administration

Democrats played hardball in the last round of government funding. This time, not so much.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vow to push back against the Trump administration on a range of issues, but are not talking about using the threat of a government shutdown to extract concessions. Bill Clark/AP

Days into the new year, congressional Democrats are livid over a litany of issues, including President Donald Trump’s unilateral invasion of Venezuela, stalled action on health care and, most recently, an immigration agent fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis. But they are split on how to fight back.

With another critical government funding deadline on Jan. 30, Democratic leaders don’t appear willing to leverage their votes for spending bills in exchange for action. In fact, they appear to be openly forecasting there won’t be a shutdown at all.

“We’ll figure out the accountability mechanisms at the appropriate time,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters when asked about holding the Trump administration accountable.