UPDATE: Well, shutdown fears can be put to rest. The spending bill passed the House and just cleared the Senate in an 81-14 vote. It now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature (via Politico):
The Senate passed a two-week funding bill, staving off a government shutdown a day ahead of the deadline.
Senators approved the measure on a 81-14 vote, soon after the House passed it. The move punts a tough political battle over spending and immigration until just before Christmas.
BREAKING: No shutdown — for now: Senate backs spending bill to keep government open until Dec. 22, measure heads to Trump.
— The Associated Press (@AP) December 7, 2017
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is not voting for a spending bill that does not have a fix for the recipients of Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The program shields children who entered the country illegally, as long as they meet a certain criteria (i.e. no criminal background) and pay the processing fees. Accepted applicants have to provide evidence to immigration authorities that they're here illegally, have DACA protections for about two years. Sen. Sanders wants a permanent fix. The government runs out of money on Friday at midnight. Congress is debating a two-week continuing resolution, which isn’t being well received, but here we are. The conservative wing of the GOP concedes that if such a deal were put on the floor for a vote, it would pass. Democrats aren’t going to help get this CR across, but a few could vote across party lines once the GOP crosses the 218-mark.
Pelosi has said Dems won't help pass CR. But I wouldn't be surprised, according to my convos from aides, if we see some Dem frontliners vote yes after Rs cross passage threshold https://t.co/BL9rRlsMii
— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) December 7, 2017
Now, back to Sanders, he’s joining Sens. Booker, Warren, and Harris on this position, which could endanger government funding and shut down the government. He went on CBS This Morning, where he said that it wouldn’t be the Democrats’ fault for shutting down the government, though Sanders is not a member. He said that we have a Republican Congress, who wants to increase military spending, but supposedly won’t lift a finger to help America’s working class families or address student loan debt. He also hit the GOP for being more focused on tax cuts for the wealthy. It’s the same old nonsense.
Trump must make good on his promise to sign a bill protecting Dreamers. I won't vote for any spending bill without a permanent DACA fix.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 3, 2017
Then, Sanders got flustered when CBS’ Bianna Golodryga called him out on his hypocrisy over the government shutdown.
GOLODRYGA: In 2013, the shutdown then, you said, ‘ it is wrong for right wing Republicans to ignore the results of the last election and hold the American people hostage by threatening to shut down the government because they can’t get their way.’ What makes this different?
SANDERS: Whoa…whoa…whoa…whoa why are you assuming that we are shutting down the government? We want to keep—who wants the shut down the government; I don’t want to shut down the government.
Well, not wanting to vote for a spending bill that will keep the government open because you didn’t get your on DACA could be a clue, senator. Sanders also went on to criticize the GOP tax bill, as he tried to pivot away from his past remarks. So, you see—it’s Double Standard Theater. It’s only bad to threaten to shut down the government when Republicans do it, but Democrats can because they care about the working class, or something. I guess the same standard applies to sexual harassment as well, huh? And no, I don’t think Democrats waiting nearly a month to get their house in order is a profile in courage. Franken is resigning, but he’s not sprinting for the exit.
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