US government shuts down! Congress fails to pass spending bill

The US Federal Government shut down at midnight on Friday after senators failed to reach a deal to fund the government.

The spectacular move comes on the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency and sends Congress scrambling to find a solution and keep the government running. Congress needed 60 votes to advance the bill to keep the government open for four weeks, but Republicans only control 51 seats and needed Democratic votes to cross the floor.

CNN reports that it is the first modern government shutdown with Congress and the White House controlled by the same party.

The vote is still ongoing, but since senators were unable to meet the midnight deadline all nonessential government offices will be closed until a federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year is agreed upon and a budget bill is passed.

Millions of Americans will be affected by the shutdown, with some potentially going without pay and others stuck in limbo with health insurance and immigration programs on hold. Hundreds of national parks could also close, along with the Smithsonian Museum.

The last US shutdown happened in 2013 and lasted for 16 days, during which many federal employees took a forced leave of absence.

Essential services, such as national security, postal services, air traffic control, emergency health services, disaster assistance and prisons will all remain open.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

“Senate Democrats own the Schumer Shutdown,” she said. “Tonight, they put politics above our national security, military families, vulnerable children, and our country’s ability to serve all Americans. We will not negotiate the status of unlawful immigrants while Democrats hold our lawful citizens hostage over their reckless demands.

“This is the behavior of obstructionist losers, not legislators. When Democrats start paying our armed forces and first responders we will reopen negotiations on immigration reform. During this politically manufactured Schumer Shutdown, the president and his administration will fight for and protect the American people.”

Earlier in the night President Trump tweeted that the Democrats were trying to interfere with the success of his tax cuts.

Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018

“Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy,” he wrote.

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