BORDER/GOP/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WALL: “Several dozen House Republicans might cross the aisle this week to vote for Democratic bills to reopen shuttered parts of the federal government, spurring the White House into a dramatic effort to stem potential GOP defections. White House officials and Republican congressional leaders worry that GOP support for the shutdown is eroding, weakening President Donald Trump’s hand as he seeks billions of dollars for a border wall that Democrats have vowed to oppose, according to GOP lawmakers and aides. Hoping to sway skeptics in his party and the broader public, Trump will make an Oval Office address Tuesday [1-8-19] night to discuss what he called the ‘Humanitarian and National Security Crisis on our Southern Border,’ he said on Twitter. Then he will visit the border region on Thursday [1-10-19]. Vice President Mike Pence and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen will address House Republicans on Tuesday evening. The House is scheduled to vote Wednesday [1-9-19] on a Democratic bill designed to fund the IRS and several other agencies, the first of four bills Democrats hope will peel off Trump’s GOP support in the House.”
–John Bresnahan and Sarah Ferris, “House GOP leaders fear support eroding for Trump’s shutdown fight,” Politico, January 7, 2019 9:49 pm