Funding fights in Washington usually play out like games of chicken.

Right now, neither party seems ready to blink.

At some point, the government will reopen, but the fight that has shut it down this week is in some ways unique.

For Democrats, this is the chance to show their base they have the capacity to stand up to President Trump.

For Trump, this is an opportunity to punish Democrats,

cut funding to blue states, and fire even more federal workers.

Tonight, why our government doesn't work.

Next.

This is Washington Week with the Atlantic.

Good evening and welcome to Washington Week.

Even when the government is open, no one accuses Congress of being particularly productive or a well-oiled machine.

So it's not surprising that this least effective branch of government is even more ineffective this week.

Speaker Mike Johnson has already canceled House votes for next week,

which means that the government probably isn't reopening anytime soon.

Although today I can report that the Senate's top Democrat and top Republican,

Chuck Schumer and John Thune, were seen speaking for at least 34 seconds.

So there's that.

The question tonight, why do lawmakers keep shutting down the government?

Joining me tonight to discuss this and more, Leanne Caldwell is the Chief Washington correspondent

for Puck News. Andrew Desiderio is a senior congressional reporter for Punchbow News.

Tulu Alorna Rippa is a staff writer at the Atlantic, and Ashley Parker covers the White House for the Atlantic.

Thank you all for joining me.

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