The Atlantic

Republicans Scramble for Unity Ahead of a Government Shutdown

For the GOP to stick it to Democrats, it's going to have to stick together first.
Source: Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP

Updated on January 17 at 3:45 p.m. ET

If ever there was a moment when House Republicans could use some much-needed party unity, this is it.

The federal government is on the brink of shutting down Friday at midnight, and the GOP wants, first, to keep it open, and second, to blame Democrats if it can’t. But both of those goals depend on Speaker Paul Ryan wrangling 216 of his 238 members to vote for a temporary spending bill that one top conservative likened to “a crap sandwich with moldy bread.”

GOP leaders unveiled their on Tuesday night and are eyeing a vote

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