way to spend money on the border. Why should they play into Trump's narrative.

If members of Congress hung around and didn't go home at the end of a session, they couldn't conduct any official business because they're in recess until January 3. They have no capacity to act when they're not in session so they'd just look dumb, like they're pointlessly grandstanding - which is exactly what they'd be doing.

can sit there and say "we're here and we're waiting for Trump and the Republicans to do their sworn duty." Why not?

matters is that it looks like our representatives have gone home to play, have a vacation and a paycheck and have left everyone in the lurch. I know there is nothing they can do but they can shame the Repubs by just being there and demanding that Trump and the Repubs act. There are people really hurting because of this shutdown and regardless of whose fault it is, I think it looks terrrible that we're not there raising hell.

constituents are not in dc.

just because it's not on cable news doesn't mean nothing is happening.

of the December 11th Oval Office meeting with Pelosi and Schumer in which Trump said/boasted he takes complete responsibility for government shutdown and be running the ad nationally nonstop. No "high road". The shutdown was caused and occurred under a Republican-controlled Congress with a Republican squatter in the Oval Office. The shutdown is totally on the Republicans. Of course now, the Democrats will be left to clean up the mess when they take over on January 3rd.

IMO the optics would look terrible/weak if the Democrats gave into Trump's BS. Trump has already owned this shutdown. The Senate passed a bipartisan bill that would've gotten better support in the house, while the house Republicans chose to pass a partisan (non-starter) bill. Trump and the house Republicans should be in DC. Yes, the liar- in- chief will rant and rave on Twitter about the evil Democrats (what's new?) Yes some in the media will blame both sides, but the facts are on our side and there's tape. I love the strength the Democrats are displaying nowadays. Keep it up.

They'll go back then, when they're the majority in the House of Representatives and can actually do something. Yes, indeed!

They're in the minority until Thursday, remember? They can sit around in the Capitol with no lights, no heat, and look like pouty children, because that's precisely how they'd be portrayed by Republicans and in the media. If the minority party being in the minority "looks awful" to you, I'd suggest an adjustment of your vision.