A call from the largest federal workers union in the country for Democrats to pass a GOP bill reopening the government on Monday was met with uncharacteristic yawns from Washington, D.C.-area Democrats.

Why it matters: Such a statement from a powerful union would, in normal times, have a profound impact on Democrats. These are not normal times. • Democrats are dug in, emboldened by rebounding support from their voters and determined to walk away from the shutdown with something to show for their intransigence. • Democratic lawmakers tell Axios they feel they have the upper hand and that Republicans are poised to come to the negotiating table — though Republicans say essentially the exact opposite.

Driving the news: American Federation of Government Employees president Everett Kelley

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