The measure was doomed regardless, given that it would need bipartisan support to advance and Democrats are uniformly opposed. With about a dozen senators absent from the holiday-season session, two retiring Republicans who have been sharply critical of Mr. Trump were balking at the measure. Senator Jeff Flake, Republican of Arizona, voted against it and Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, delayed his vote, threatening to do so. Yet Mr. Trump remained adamant about his demand and resigned to the possibility of a shutdown, saying he hoped to keep funds flowing past midnight but that his adversaries must agree to fund his border wall. “I hope we don’t, but we are totally prepared for a very long shut down.

Source: New York Times December 21, 2018 13:02 UTC