Democrats have the power, for once, to prevent a US government shutdown
Washington — Democrats have a rare chance to win major concessions in a US Congress they do not control by taking advantage of a battle within the Republican party over keeping the government open. With a Friday deadline looming, when most funding for federal agencies runs out, Democrats finally have some clout — but their power is strongest while the Republicans in Congress remain fractured and fighting. The showdown with Republicans could come to a head on Thursday when Democrats are expected to press their demands to President Donald Trump at a White House meeting. For Trump, the complex, and very public, battle over the shutdown will also be a demonstration of his ability to deliver on a central 2016 campaign promise of adding billions of dollars to the US military budget. That issue is at the core of Republicans’ behind-the-scenes negotiations with Democrats. Most Republicans want a defence build-up, but many also want to limit government spending. While many Democrats also sup...
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