BUDGET/DEMS/POLITICS: “Sen. Chuck Schumer, having led Democrats into and out of a government shutdown, worked Tuesday [1-23-18] to mend a public breach in party ranks and to push back against progressive groups who said he capitulated to Republicans… His comments came after fierce criticism from progressive activists, who accused Democrats of throwing in the towel without an agreement in hand to protect young immigrants known as Dreamers. The twin 81-18 votes Monday ending the shutdown also highlighted the splits within the caucus: The 16 senators of the Democratic caucus who voted against the bill comprised many of the party’s progressives and possible 2020 presidential candidates.
The tensions between centrist lawmakers and the party’s progressive wing aren’t new, but they were largely papered over during the past year as Democrats of all stripes united in opposition to President Donald Trump, fighting the attempted repeal of the Affordable Care Act and opposing the GOP tax overhaul.
But progressive groups, energized by Democratic election wins in the Virginia governor and local races, as well as the Alabama Senate race last year, said the decision to end the shutdown was a dispiriting miscalculation.”
-Natalie Andrews and Janet Hook, “Chuck Schumer Works to Mend Split in Democratic Ranks After Shutdown,” The Wall Street Journal online, Jan. 23, 2018 11:35pm