Well, the Democrats in the Senate have their opportunity to show that they have a backbone. If they simply say “no” to the Continuing Resolution (or “CR” which is a temporary funding measure that Congress can use to fund the federal government for a limited amount of time) that passed the House with no input from their side, the government will shut down. It can’t reopen without passing a funding bill, and perhaps the Republicans in Congress (who have been Trump’s handmaidens) will realize that, unless they act like a separate branch of a government that has two parties, the shutdown will continue.

The geniuses at the White House and in the Congress think that the Democrats are jammed with no recourse. I beg to differ.

This CR cuts some programs and gives Trump the power to withhold appropriations if he doesn’t like where they are going.  If the Democrats cave on this, then they will demonstrate their lack of understanding of what Trump, Musk and the Republicans in Congress are doing. 

This is the first major test of their willingness to forcefully and effectively object to what is going on. Of course, there is risk involved, but letting Trump have his way on this now may mean that there won’t be another chance to stand up and stop something. Let’s hope that some tougher heads will prevail.