Hunger, flight chaos fail to end US shutdown

CONGRESS SHOWED MOMENTARY signs of life in the nation’s longest government showdown, but the hope for a post-election compromise faded quickly, with frustrated senators apparently no closer to an escape plan.

- ERIK WASSON & STEVEN T DENNIS

Democrats, fresh from a sweep of coast-to-coast victories on Tuesday, scaled back their demands, offering a plan to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for one year in exchange for reopening the government.

Within half an hour, Republicans called it dead on arrival and unserious.

Even so, senators stayed in Washington over the weekend for the first time in the 40-day shutdown after President Donald Trump chided lawmakers to “not leave town” until the spending impasse is resolved.