The White House is standing firm in its position that there will be no negotiations with Democrats while the government remains shut down.

Republican leadership has said such discussions could take place only after the government reopens, but officials have not engaged in any substantive policy talks while the shutdown continues.

In the meantime, the administration has taken steps that appear aimed at increasing pressure on Democrats. On Wednesday, the White House announced the cancellation of tens of billions of dollars in federal grants, much of it directed to Democratic-led states that backed Vice President Kamala Harris in the last election. That includes $18 billion for transportation projects in New York and $8 billion in green energy funding across about 16 states.

The administra

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