On Tuesday, President Donald Trump declared his support for another government shutdown if Congressional Republicans and Democrats are unable to agree on a budget deal that would stop federal agencies from having to close down later this week. The President said that he would be more than happy to have another shutdown if the deal fails to include immigration law reform.
Meanwhile, Democratic and Republican party leaders in the Senate say they are close to reaching a deal that could see a dramatic increase in the spending levels for both domestic and military programs, and ensure that the government will stay open when the current temporary spending budget ends, on Thursday. The deal could finally end the brinkmanship that saw government funds run out last month and has been periodically rolling Washington.
Reporters heard from Senate Republican Leader, Mitch McConnell, that he is optimistic an agreement will be reached very soon. According to Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer, who agrees that real progress is being made, the deal would include Republican championed interests, like increased military spending, as well as an increase for broadband infrastructure, drug treatment, and other domestic programs.
The shutdown in January occurred when Democrats demanded that the spending bill include protections for young undocumented immigrants who came to the US while they were minors, known as ‘Dreamers’. That approach has been dropped by the party this time, with many in the Republican Party only too keen to separate immigration and spending.