Government shutdown unlikely

Congress seems primed to avoid costly showdown

WASHINGTON — Congress seemed on track Wednesday to approving legislation that would avert a partial government shutdown over the weekend, as all sides seemed ready to avert a confrontation.

Increasingly confident House leaders planned a Thursday vote on a bill that would keep federal agencies functioning through Dec. 22, and Senate approval was expected to follow. Even the head of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, whose members have been threatening to oppose the measure, predicted passage.

“No one wants a shutdown, including Freedom Caucus members,” Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., told reporters.

The moderated tone reflected a sense within both parties that though major differences remain over spending, immigration, health care and other issues, this was no time for a government closure.

Republicans want the public focus to be on the party’s prized $1.5 trillion tax bill, which they hope to enact by Christmas.

While many Democrats seemed likely to oppose the measure, enough were expected to support it in the Senate to allow its passage there. They know they’d still have leverage on subsequent bills needed to keep the government running.

Congressional leaders of both parties planned to meet Trump at the White House on Thursday to bargain over long-term spending limits and other issues that have become entangled with lawmakers’ year-end work.

But Trump told reporters Wednesday that a shutdown “could happen” and blamed Democrats. He said they want “illegal immigrants pouring into our country, bringing with them crime, tremendous amounts of crime.”

His comments drew a tweet from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-calif., who called Trump “the only person talking about a government shutdown.”