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The government... is closed for business: Here's why.

The United States government is officially closed for business - as of January 19, 2018.

Happy New Year.

After not reaching an agreement late Friday night on several issues including DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals that would protect immigrant children from being deported to countries of their supposed origin, republican and democratic representatives allowed for a government shutdown, instead.

 


Who's to blame for the shut down?

Seemingly, there's enough blame to go around.

The White House has issued a statement on the shutdown which lays blame on Democrats, calling the government closure 'The Schumer Shutdown', casting Democrats as "losers."

"Senate Democrats own the Schumer Shutdown. 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."

The Democrats blame the House, Senate and White House-controlled Republicans for the government shutdown and have issued their own statements via social media.

"This will be called the #TrumpShutdown, tweeted Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer.

"There is no one who deserves the blame for the position we find ourselves in more than President Trump."

U.S. Senator (and potential 2020 presidential candidate) Cory Booker also took to Twitter to express his concern over the shutdown.

"The Republicans control the White House, Senate & House. With that power comes a basic responsibility to keep the government open. 

Tonight they failed, and now the American people will suffer. #TrumpShutdown



What will the government shutdown look like?

The Washington Post gives a detailed report of government agencies that will be affected by the  shutdown and reveals which government employees will still work and which employees will get sent home, possibly without pay.

 


You can read their report here.

The military is one organization being affected by the shutdown. 

Vice President Pence, traveling to Cairo and the Middle East said the military is defending the country without getting "paid right away." 

"You have troops headed down range to Kuwait for six month and they are anxious about the fact that they aren't going to get paid right away."

In his official statement, Pence said, 

“Our administration worked in good faith to put a bipartisan deal on the table that would strengthen our borders, end chain migration, eliminate the visa lottery, and deal compassionately with DACA. But rather than solve problems, Democratic leadership preferred a shutdown that has dangerous consequences for our national defense. Their action tonight — or lack thereof — is unconscionable. Our administration will do everything within our power to support the brave men and women in uniform who stand on the front lines of freedom. But as of tonight, due to a completely avoidable government shutdown, they’ll stand their post without pay.”

Despite this, Pence then told service members he met in Shannon, Ireland during a refueling stop to "stay focused on their mission."

"We'll get this thing figured out in Washington", he said.

Speaking to reporters Pence said service members "deserved better" and again called the shutdown "unconscionable." 

The shutdown coincides with the president celebrating his first official year in office. 

"The Democrats wanted to give me a nice present", he tweeted. 

Trump blamed then-president Barack Obama for the 2013 government shutdown saying, "In 25... in 100 years from now when they talk about the government shutdown, they're going to be talking about the president of the United States."

As the current president, Trump has taken a different stance.

"The Democrats are more concerned with illegal immigrants than our great military or our safety at our dangerous southern border", Trump added. 

Trump gave a Rose Garden statement Thursday in support of the Right To Life. On Monday he is expected to give remarks on school choice and on his recent tax cuts, which he is lauding a success. 

It can be expected that he will also remark on the 2018 government shutdown.


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