Senators filed back to town Monday with little hope of passing a war funding and border security package before they adjourn for the Christmas recess.
Expectations for a bipartisan deal sunk so low, in fact, that only 61 of 100 senators showed up for a vote Monday to confirm former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley as the next Social Security commissioner — a sign that sparse attendance was likely throughout the week.
While Democrats sought to keep hope alive for a border security deal this week by not ruling out some kind of framework agreement, Republicans made clear they would not be rushed into action and would not agree to a vote without time to study the actual legislative text.
