On the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration, the federal government shut down at midnight, Jan. 20 after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach a compromise to keep the government funded.
Negotiations came to a screeching halt last night over the ongoing debates over immigration and social programs that could benefit the most vulnerable groups in the country. The shutdown stemmed from Democrats' and Republicans' inability to provide a fix for the Dreamers (DACA) Act that protects undocumented children. Republicans would only budge if Democrats approved funding for Trump's border wall.
Like the shutdown of 2013, non-essential federal employees will be furloughed, national parks will be closed and tax refund checks will be delayed.
Political commentator Symone Sanders and others believe the shutdown was caused by the Republicans' plan to defund social programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP. With the shutdown, 9 million children will go uncovered.
.@prioritiesUSA already planning a seven figure ad campaign on national television and digital if Republicans shutdown the government tonight! ???????? #TrumpShutdown
https://t.co/srwENAcLPh— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) January 20, 2018
The reason the government shutdown is that Trump and his team have an ideological commitment to allowing fewer black and brown people into the country. #TrumpShutdown
#TrumpIsARacist— John Legend (@johnlegend) January 20, 2018
Let me quickly explain why it is the Republicans (House, Senate and Trump) who are to blame if the government shuts down. 1) There is a bipartisan bill that addresses everything from DACA, CHIP, military, community based health centers, pensions etc that CAN PASS the SENATE but..
— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) January 19, 2018
The shutdown also affects the military. Many may not get paid. If it extends well beyond Feb. 16, billions of taxpayer dollars could be wasted. The last shutdown cost $2.1 billion.
The House bill has been rejected with bipartisan opposition. Time for a deal that solves the issues the vast majority of Americans support – funding the government, reauthorizing CHIP & protecting Dreamers.
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) January 20, 2018
So far, this is the 18th government shutdown since 1976 and the first when all branches of government were controlled by one party. While many government employees are furloughed, air traffic controllers, TSA agents and others of the sort are still on the job. And as chaos ensues, the politicians responsible will still get paid.
