Washington Democrats finally have their first opportunity to leverage power against President Donald Trump—but it comes with a dilemma that could leave them looking even more ineffective than they have during his second term.
The pressure point emerges from a temporary government funding bill, which could serve as a shield for the president’s anti-government agenda, while Democratic voters push for more aggressive action from their lawmakers.
With a crucial Senate vote approaching, Democratic leaders face a paradox: Should they shut down the government in an effort to protect it? The risk is high, as a government shutdown could leave federal agencies closed and thousands of workers furloughed, potentially making them even more vulnerable to Trump’s sweeping cuts.