Shutdown deal avoids political pain for Republican moderates

The recently announced deal to avoid a government shutdown will likely provide a major boost to the political fortunes of Republican moderates in Congress. By reaching an agreement with Democrats on a funding bill that covers most of the fiscal year, they were able to avoid the pitfalls that often accompany brinkmanship strategy. With much of the controversy surrounding the President’s proposed budget proposals having dissipated, the moderate Republicans can now credibly argue that they have struck a balanced deal that is in the best interests of the American people. This narrative allows them to demonstrate their pragmatism and draw a sharp contrast with the more extreme voices in their own party. Additionally, the moderates can take solace in the fact that the budget fight is far from over, which gives them an opportunity to continue to push for compromise and bipartisanship in the future.