Washington • Congress effectively gave up on trying to reopen a quarter of the federal government until after the new year, as negotiations stalled Thursday among Republican and Democratic leaders.
House members were told they would not be expected back for votes this week, and the Senate was expected to follow suit, according to Democratic and Republican aides. That would hand the job of reopening the federal government to Democrats when they take control of the House in January.
Congress was expected to convene briefly Thursday afternoon, on day six of the shutdown, but then close for legislative business until new lawmakers are sworn in Jan.