Pelosi, Progressives Attack Schumer; Democrats Lose Leverage To Protect Illegal Immigrants | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This informational nugget was sent to me by Ben Shapiro, who represents the Daily Wire, and since this is one of the most topical news events, it should be published on BCN.

    On Monday, after news broke that the Senate Democrats had caved to Republicans on the government shutdown, earning a mere promise for a vote on immigration legislation, House Democrats opened fire on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), among others. Rep. Luis Guttierez (D-IL) grumbled, "They caved. They blinked. That's what they do." The only Senate Democrats who held out were from deep blue states, except for 2020 presidential hopeful Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT). House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) even jumped into the fray: "I don't see that there's any reason - I'm speaking personally and hearing from my members - to support what was put forth."

    Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) fumed, "The Majority Leader's comments last night fell far short of the ironclad guarantee I needed to support a stopgap spending bill. ... I will do everything in my power to continue to protect DREAMers from deportation."

    So, what did Democrats get from this shutdown?

    Here's the full list: the perception that Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) had outlasted them at the negotiating table; the understanding that Democrats will be unable to fight Republicans using a government shutdown as leverage, at least on the issue of illegal immigration; the impression that Democrats care more about illegal immigrants than military members; a Democratic base that now believes the Democrats are on the run; the impression that Democrats were responsible for the shutdown.

    Ouch.

    What have Republicans gained?

    They've gained the perception that they can govern; combined with the tax cut bill, Republicans in Congress have done their job and forced Democrats into a position of irrelevance. Furthermore, the White House now says that it will not sign the Graham-Durbin proposal, a Senate bill to legalize illegal immigrant children and their parents, and hand citizenship to the kids.

    This sets up another showdown for February 8, when the current continuing resolution expires - but Democrats obviously have zero leverage tying DACA to funding. Which means that they're better off simply fighting for a clean DACA bill before March. But again, the administration doesn't have to capitulate - Trump can softly reinstate DACA to avoid the public pressure attendant on a sweep of illegal immigration arrests.

    Democrats hurt themselves. They bluffed, and their bluff was called. Republicans should take advantage of that fact.