House Republicans Plan to Stay Away from DC During Shutdown

House Republicans have decided to stay away from Washington during the ongoing government shutdown. According to reports, GOP leaders informed their members of this decision during a conference call on Saturday. The decision to avoid the capital reflects the Republican Party's strategy of limiting its involvement in the shutdown negotiations, which have reached an impasse between the White House and Congress. The shutdown, which began on December 22nd, has left several federal agencies without funding, affecting a significant portion of the government's operations. The standoff is primarily centered around President Trump's demand for $5 billion in funding for a border wall, a proposal that has been rejected by Democrats who control the House of Representatives. The absence of House Republicans from Washington during this period suggests a tactical approach to the ongoing political crisis, as the party seeks to distance itself from the negotiations and the potential fallout from the shutdown.