“Democrats are the ones who have decided to inflict the pain.”It’s a striking role reversal. In explaining his vote, Paul said the measure “continues Biden spending levels” which Trump had previously pledged to roll back. In a striking contrast to the internal division that once plagued GOP spending fights, party leaders displayed unity on the Capitol balcony on the first day of the shutdown. “The President, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, we’re all united on this,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said at the gathering, while holding the pages of the Republicans’ continuing resolution that has already passed the House. There’s also a growing unease with how the Trump administration is leading Republicans through the shutdown.