Another week, another government shutdown deadline

WASHINGTON—Lawmakers returned Monday to Capitol Hill with just a few days left to strike a deal before another government shutdown. Federal funds run out after Thursday. Just 14 days ago, Congress reopened the government after allowing the budget to expire for a weekend over stalled negotiations over immigration reform. Republican lawmakers huddled at their retreat at The Greenbrier resort in White Sulpher Springs, W.Va., last week to plan their legislative strategy but still don’t appear ready to offer an immigration deal that can pass both chambers. Protection for nearly 700,000 immigrants under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program begins to expire after March 5 unless Congress passes a legislative fix. President Donald Trump continues to push for a wall on the southern border he promised during his campaign, something Democrats have so far opposed. “Any deal on DACA that does not include STRONG border security and the desperately needed WALL is a total waste of time,” the president tweeted Monday. “March 5th is rapidly approaching and the Dems seem not to care about DACA.” Instead of funding the government through the end of the year, lawmakers have passed four continuing resolutions since September to avoid compromising on tough legislative issues. GOP leaders are eyeing a fifth stopgap measure to extend government funding through March 23 unless both sides can come together on an immigration bill in the next few days. The House plans to vote on the short-term spending bill as soon as Tuesday and send it over to the Senate for consideration. Senate Democrats will have to decide if they’re willing to shut down the government for a second time this year if there’s no DACA deal attached.