As the clock ticks down on yet another potential government shutdown, Americans are left scratching their heads, wondering why their elected officials seem more interested in staging political drama than doing their jobs. The Senate finds itself in a state of gridlock as Democrats refuse to endorse a package of six government funding bills, which includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The sticking point is none other than the infamous I.C.E., with Democrats pushing for reforms or, quite frankly, a financial haircut for the immigration enforcement agency.
Seven Republicans have even joined Democrats in rejecting an initial procedural vote, making it clear that this isn’t just the usual partisan stand-off. With 78% of federal government spending hanging in the balance, one must wonder if they’re secretly auditioning for a reality show about how to run a country like a circus.
Talks of defunding I.C.E. have only fueled more fire as some left-leaners in the Senate treat it like a bad word, much akin to ‘moist’ in polite conversation. Meanwhile, Senator Schumer and colleagues seem caught between the impeachment rocks and a hard place of budget negotiations, unable to decide whether to completely defang one of their own makeshift boogeymen.
In an almost theatrical twist that Capitol Hill could apparently always use more of, the Democrats suggest carving DHS out of the package and giving it a short-term funding escape route in the form of a Continuing Resolution (CR). Of course, this nifty little maneuver would ignore the elephants in the room – the House – which is not in session, essentially guaranteeing a costly partial shutdown that could kick off tomorrow at midnight. It begs the question, do they consult fortune cookies for their next move?
While government officials squabble, former President Trump, never one to pass up an opportunity for limelight, voiced his bemusement over the Democrats’ inability to focus on the economy. Trump is quick to point out record economic indicators that politicians rarely seem to celebrate, as if they were hitting blind spots on their radar, preferring instead to crash down on hot-button topics like immigration reform and border patrol funding.
Even Federal Reserve Chair agrees the economy is in pretty good shape, contrary to the dire warnings about an imminent economic apocalypse. But since when did Washington politicians ever let the facts get in the way of a well-stoked disagreement? While there might be an argument to be made about differing priorities, diverting the national conversation away from the economy with alarming distractions seems like playing 21st-century politics bingo: Shutdown, Boondoggle, I.C.E.
In the game of political chess, every move promises a consequence, and the American public remains the pawns being shuffled around. They’re left waiting to see if Capitol Hill can actually get its act together or if they’ll end up witnessing another all-too-familiar curtain call on a government shutdown. Same old plot, different day. Who needs Netflix when Washington provides unending sequels of its budget-brawls and shutdown-sagas?
