Being out of town and focused on other things, I haven't been able to spend much time coming to a proper conclusion about the deal to end the government shutdown. My impression is that, while there was an important settlement on the CHIP program, I don't think the Democrats got much and that it's a lousy deal...but probably necessary. As such, being probably necessary, I don't think this is "caving," but it's on the good side of the line.
The DACA matter is unresolved, there's no settlement on financing for the military, no resolution on opioids and more. And the most Democrats got was an assurance that Republicans will get a vote on DACA. I have no idea if Republicans will actually get that vote. And I wouldn't hold my breath on it, but it's possible. But even if it passes -- which it may not, but then it would still have to pass the House to become law, and that seems unlikely. But at the moment, I don't get the sense that Democrats had a strong enough hand to continue a government shutdown on behalf of supposedly "illegal immigrants" -- never mind that Dreamers are not actually illegal. And since we do have a Republican "promise", then one of two things will happen -- either Republican won't keep that promise which will be a terrible issue for them, or they'll vote and be on the record: and they'll either pass the measure which 80% of the country supports, or they'll be on the record voting against the measure that 80% of the country supports. And even if the Senate votes for the DCA measure, I don't expect the House to do so, as well, tarring the GOP with voting down something 80% of the country supports. And if they do pass it (which is highly unlikely), then it falls to whether Trump signs it or not. So, either he signs it and infuriates his base, or he vetoes something something that 80% of the country supports, demanding that the bill deal with chain migration and other matters of immigration and border security, convoluting the whole issue. At which point all this becomes a significant political issue for the 2018 mid-term elections, when it more-likely will be in the Democrats favor. Okay, that's enough of "If this, then that..." I don't think it's a good deal. But I think the way this was playing out was problematic for Democrats, especially with the next deadline so near at hand, less than three weeks away. In which case this all comes up again... Or not. I withhold all judgement on the above and remain open to being convinced otherwise, leaving the door open for changing my opinion as conditions befit...
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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