The biggest new class of House Democrats since Watergate was just sworn in. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), accepting the gavel on the opening day of Congress, said the House would be bipartisan and unifying. [‘We will be out for a long time’ unless Democrats budge, Trump tweets]Entering its fourth week, the shutdown has lasted longer than the stalemate in 1995-96 that pitted President Bill Clinton against House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). [Democrats prepare for legal battle if Trump declares emergency]One hope is that this could eventually lead to renewed negotiations over a bigger immigration agreement. During the shutdown, the president has been effective in holding elected Republicans together, despite some cracks in the facade.

Source: Washington Post January 12, 2019 18:00 UTC