Friday's Headlines: After dueling plans fail, politicians work behind scenes to seek shutdown solution

'This is your fault': GOP senators clash over shutdown at luncheon; 'I don't think I'm out of touch': Administration struggles to show empathy for federal workers; As firms try to...

Democracy Dies in Darkness     The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors   After dueling plans fail, politicians work behind scenes to seek shutdown solution Although the fundamental dynamics that led to the impasse remain unchanged, the urgency to reach a breakthrough was plain among lawmakers as horror stories from the federal shutdown multiplied. By Erica Werner, Sean Sullivan and Mike DeBonis  •  Read more » 'This is your fault': GOP senators clash over shutdown at luncheon At a private lunch, Sen. Ron Johnson lashed out at Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who snapped back, "Are you suggesting I'm enjoying this?" McConnell also made clear to the others there that the shutdown was not his idea and was not working. By Sean Sullivan and Paul Kane  •   Read more »   'I don't think I'm out of touch': Administration struggles to show empathy for federal workers The White House's tone deafness is a fresh vulnerability for Democrats to exploit as polls show President Trump losing the public opinion battle over the shutdown. By Philip Rucker, Josh Dawsey and Damian Paletta  •   Read more »   As firms try to lure them, federal workers face a shutdown choice: Stay or quit? Some federal employees have taken meetings with recruiters and pondered leaving jobs they've cherished, creating a new government concern: the potential loss of skilled personnel. By Danielle Paquette  •   Read more »   Go to bed! Brain researchers warn that lack of sleep is a public health crisis. A growing number of scientists, not normally known for being advocates, are bringing evangelical zeal to the message that lack of sleep deserves as much attention as the obesity epidemic. By Carolyn Y. Johnson  •   Read more »   Homeland Security to start sending asylum seekers back to Mexico The measures, designed to keep migrants from waiting in the United States while their cases are processed, will be implemented Friday at the San Ysidro port of entry south of San Diego and then expanded, U.S. officials said. By Andrew deGrandpre, Maria Sacchetti, Kevin Sieff and David Nakamura  •   Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT Opinions   Robert Redford: We must defend our democracy — and not by impeachment By Robert Redford  •   Read more »   If Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were a conservative By Marc Thiessen  •   Read more »   Pelosi is schooling Trump. He's a slow learner. By Eugene Robinson  •   Read more »   What a dead samurai can teach us about the Covington controversy By Christine Emba  •   Read more »   Davos is a microcosm of the world — and the outlook is grim By Fareed Zakaria  •   Read more »   Is the end to Venezuela's nightmare in sight? By Editorial Board  •   Read more » ADVERTISEMENT More News   Bluster, bombast, backing down: What happens when someone says no to Trump? The president's struggle with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi fits a pattern familiar to longtime Trump watchers: He publicly paints himself as an eager combatant but ultimately caves. By Marc Fisher  •  Read more »     With risks ahead, Trump administration pins hopes on Venezuela's opposition U.S. officials have refused to rule out military action or far-reaching economic measures. By Anne Gearan and Karen DeYoung  •   Read more »   WorldViews | Analysis The lesson of Davos: China has arrived The political failings of Europe and the United States dominated conversation throughout the week in Davos. Meanwhile, no major conversation on trade, climate change or new technologies seemed worth having without reference to Chinese perspectives or practices. By Ishaan Tharoor  •   Read more »   WorldViews As youth anger over climate change mounts, protests increase around the globe Students worried about living with the effects of climate change have been demonstrating in Belgium, Australia and elsewhere against government inaction on the issue. By Rick Noack  •   Read more »   The Trailer | Analysis Why no one is treating Biden like a 2020 front runner In this edition: Who's afraid of Joe Biden, who wants to nominate a mayor, and who's ahead in the Wisconsin primary? By David Weigel  •   Read more »   Patton Oswalt got into a Twitter spat with a Trump supporter — then helped pay his medical bills The man's GoFundMe grew from $600 to $21,000 after the comedian donated $2,000 and tweeted the fund to his followers. By Michael Brice-Saddler  •   Read more »   Post Reports | Listen Now A diplomatic crisis in Venezuela Carol Morello on why Venezuela may be on the verge of a coup. Abby Ohlheiser on how the Mall standoff went viral. Plus, Angela Fritz on the privatization of weather forecasts. By Washington Post Staff  •   Read more »         Share Today's Headlines:    Twitter     Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for Today's Headlines or because it is included in your subscription. Manage my email newsletters and alerts | Unsubscribe from Today's Headlines Privacy Policy | Help ©2019 The Washington Post  |  1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071