U.S. Government Shuts Down As Trump, Congress Disagree On Funding
The U.S. Government has shut down as Congress and President Trump were unable to come to an agreement on funding the Government.
Democrats and some Republicans had tied the continued funding of Government to two conditions:
– legalisation of so-called “Dreamers,” immigrants who arrived illegally in the US when they were children and are now facing deportation under Trump.
– continued funding for Children’s Health Insurance which had been cut by Trump’s tax cut that passed last month.
Twice in the last week, it appeared that Trump and the Democrats and moderate Republicans had arrived at a deal. In both cases, Trump changed his mind after talking to the right-wingers in the Republican party who are opposed to any legalisation of illegal immigrants.
Trump’s infamous “shithole comment” referring to Africa and Haiti was made in the context of one of these deal meetings.
Just an hour ago, the Senate Majority Leader attempted to keep the Government open, but lacking a deal on these key conditions, enough Democrats and Republicans opposed the proposal and the resolution failed.
As a result, the U.S. Government has shut down as of midnight Eastern Time on January 19th.
Most non-essential departments will shut down, and the employees will go without work until Congress and the President figure out a deal that will open up funding for the Government.
