The departure of Steve Bannon has left the President surrounded by a more conventional team of staffers who will be more willing to strike a deal, but the President’s cold war with Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is making the process difficult. The President has not spoken with McConnell in weeks, and is openly criticizing the Majority Leader for failing to repeal and replace Obamacare. McConnell issued a statement on Wednesday expressing his commitment to working with the President on advancing the Republican agenda. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) played down the prospect of a shutdown, telling reporters Wednesday that even if the wall debate remains unresolved, Congress probably would pass a stopgap extension of funding to prevent a lapse when the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2017. The President is meeting with GOP leadership from the House and Senate when they get back from congressional recess after Labor Day. Congress will likely pass a continuing resolution to avoid a complete government shutdown.
Source: Rural County Representatives of California