Republican unity to avoid shutdown concessions is cracking after failed votes
Since the shutdown standoff commenced, it was Republicans who were confident that Democrats would crack in the face of a GOP plan to vote again and again on the same bill while offering zero concessions.
But after six failed votes in the past two weeks — and with poll results showing the GOP is taking slightly more of the blame while plans for "permanent" cuts from President Trump have yet to materialize — it's Republican resolve that is increasingly in question.
High-profile GOP defectors are now openly pushing their leaders to reverse course and come to the negotiating table over the thorny issue of reviving expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.
And Trump has said multiple times this week he is open to healthcare talks — albeit with a shifting message on timing — saying Thursday at a Cabinet meeting, "We are the ones that are saving healthcare." He also responded to the sense in Washington that Democrats are gaining ground by saying it's the Democrats who are divided.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/republican-unity-to-avoid-shutdown-concessions-is-cracking-after-failed-votes-180715723.html