GOP tactics herald a grim new era of governing for Biden and Democrats

Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, the longest-serving senator and Appropriations Committee chairman, could only growl his frustration to reporters Wednesday as a small clutch of congressional Republicans threatened to delay a short-term government funding patch and spark a partial federal shutdown at midnight Friday.

“I’m just worried that there are some Republicans who have forgotten the disaster the last time they shut down the government,” said Leahy (D-Vt.), referring to the 16-day shutdown of 2013, prompted by conservative lawmakers on a ill-fated quest to block implementation of the Affordable Care Act....