Dems strengthen hand in shutdown fight

Democrats strengthened their hand in the shutdown battle with Republicans and President Trump after six GOP senators broke ranks and backed a bill to reopen the government that did not include money for Trump’s border wall.

Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-Ky.) and Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) are talking about a deal after Republicans sent the message to Vice President Pence at a Thursday lunch meeting that they want the shutdown to end as soon as possible.

A GOP source familiar with the meeting said McConnell told Pence “we should never have had a shutdown” and “they don’t work.”

“I don’t know how many times I’ve told you, there’s no education in the second kick of a mule,” the GOP source said, summarizing McConnell’s message to the vice president.

Republican lawmakers hope Trump can win some concessions from Democrats, but they say the shutdown has become intolerable and they want to see a resolution as soon as possible.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/426913-dems-strengthen-hand-in-shutdown-fight?userid=229233