So, the United States government is kinda shut down right now, after a last-ditch effort to secure a funding deal collapsed. It’s a very nice, chaotic way to wrap up Donald Trump‘s chaotic first year in office.
The failure to close a funding deal means that the government technically has no money with which to govern. That means everything but absolutely essential government operations will shutter until the situation is resolved. U.S. troops will remain at their stations and the mail will still get from point A to point B, but basically everything else is at a standstill.
You may recall that a shutdown of the same nature happened during Barack Obama‘s presidency back in 2013. However, this one is unique in that it happened despite the fact one party – the Republicans – holds both the House of Representatives and the Senate. It’s the first time that’s ever happened.
It’s all happened because Democrats are demanding that the spending bill contain protections for 700,000 younger immigrants facing deportation (known as ‘Dreamers‘). Trump’s nativist, anti-immigrant government and Republican Party at large are not so keen on that.
The White House blame the Democrats for the standstill, calling them “obstructionist losers, not legislators.” Trump himself went after them too, predictably by tweeting. This bloke loves a tweet, hey?
Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Can’t let that happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said that the blame falls on Trump for not being willing to negotiate. “When [Mr] Trump decides he is ready to lead his party to a deal, Democrats will be ready, willing and eager to clinch it,” Mr Schumer said.
In a move that is causing some consternation with the Democratic base, it appears that the party is willing to work with Donald Trump on building his border wall if it means that the Dreamers are protected. That’s a big change from the days when they said the wall was a no-no.
We’ll keep you posted.
