It used to be that the Democrats would keep the government running through the use of “clean” continuing resolutions, while the GOP would demand policy concessions in exchange for their support. Today, the shoe is on the other foot. It is the Democrats who are demanding concessions in the face of GOP calls for a clean CR. Is this pure hypocrisy, or is something else going on?
Two things have changed the dynamic between the two parties. First, the Republicans, previously the supporters of limited government, no longer want to shut it down because Trump sees it as an indispensable tool to crush his opponents. Second, Trump only views appropriations as suggestions from Congress; he will spend the money given to him any way he pleases. In that sense, there is no longer any such thing as a “clean” CR.