Washington Insider: Post-Shutdown Tensions in Washington

Well, the tensions in Washington are not really over, it seems. Administration officials are describing their determination to construct their wall, come what may, while the media are busy describing efforts to prevent future shutdowns. For example, The Hill said this week that as the federal government kicks back into gear after a 35-day partial shutdown, Congress is turning to its next deadline: "Preventing another funding lapse." The continuing resolution signed by President Trump funds roughly a quarter of the government through Feb. 15, giving Congress 19 days to reach a deal on the months-long border wall fight. A bipartisan conference committee, which includes appropriations committee members from both chambers, is slated to get to work on hashing out a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Richard Shelby, R., Ala., the Senate Appropriations chairman and a member of the conference committee, told the press, "The Democrats have stated that once the government was reopened, they would be willing to negotiate in good faith on significant investments in border security, including a physical barrier. I hope that this continuing resolution will provide us the time to work out our differences in a fair and thoughtful manner and reach a bipartisan consensus on border security." However, the president warned Congress even as he signed the temporary funding authorization that the government could shut back down "should they fail to strike a deal that includes ample funding for his signature campaign issue." Other officials took a similar stance. In addition, President Trump appeared skeptical that Congress would be able to reach a deal, telling The Wall Street Journal that another partial shutdown is "certainly an option." The president has requested $5.7 billion for the wall, an amount that can't clear House Democrats or get 60 votes in the Senate. Democrats have previously indicated they could support funding for fencing, but not a concrete wall. Lawmakers are hoping the conference committee will be able to come up with a deal to fund roughly a quarter of the government through the end of the 2019 fiscal year, taking another shutdown off the table until October. The best agreement that we can get is an agreement on border security that funds federal spending through the end of the fiscal year. "We cannot have the threat of a government shutdown hanging over our people and our economy," Sen. Susan Collins, R., Maine, told CBS. Senators have floated taking up legislation that would prevent future shutdowns by automatically creating a continuing resolution, though there are competing proposals on the idea. President Trump said he also "hasn't ruled out the possibility of circumventing Congress by using a mechanism such as declaring a national emergency in order to build the wall," The Hill said. Declaring a national emergency to construct the wall would spark fierce backlash from Congress, including Republicans who have publicly warned Trump against taking the dramatic step, The Hill said. There also is still some uncertainty about timing for the State of the Union address. It was initially scheduled for Tuesday evening. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D., Calif., was asked Friday if the joint session would continue as "planned," and responded that "the State of the Union is not planned now." "What I said to the president is, when the government is open, we will discuss a mutually agreeable date and I'll look forward to doing that and welcoming the president to the House of Representatives when we mutually agree on that date," she continued. Trump initially indicated that he wanted to go forward with the Jan. 29 speech. But after Pelosi said the House would not pass the joint resolution required to green light the speech, he said he looks forward to addressing Congress "in the near future." Pelosi has given no hints about when she is considering rescheduling the speech, but press speculation now is focusing on Feb. 5, The Hill said. So, we will have to see what happens next. While the idea of an extension of the border barrier fight seems quite unpopular, the administration still seems deeply dug in. It is possible that the bipartisan conference committee will come up with some new ideas that will convince the President to support a new approach. At the same time, there remains significant potential for another confrontation involving additional restrictions on the government -- a fight producers should watch closely as it proceeds, Washington Insider believes.