House Republicans will vote Tuesday on a set of smaller funding bills designed to take some of the bite out of the larger government shutdown, a leadership aide tells Townhall.
"Closed parks and delayed veterans benefits can be easily remedied and allow us to remain focused on forcing them to finally come to the table and talk," the aide said. Passing the smaller funding bills (including funds for the Veterans Department, the National Park Service and the District of Columbia), would take away some of the B-roll footage cable news networks and evening news shows can use to dramatize the shutdown, Republicans believe.
The House would rather make the story about Obamacare and the White House's refusal to negotiate. “President Obama and Senator Reid would rather shut down the government then engage in talks to end special treatment for the privileged under Obamacare," the aide continued.
House leaders were also quick to note that this strategy is absolutely not anything like Sen. Ted Cruz's, R-Texas, plan to pass mini-CRs.
Leadership is confident they have the votes and expect to send the bills to the Senate tonight.