TEHRAN, December 23 - The US Senate adjourned activities, ensuring that the government shutdown stretches through Christmas.
TEHRAN, Young Journalists Club (YJC) - Due to the shutdown -- which saw several key US agencies cease operations at 12:01 am (0501 GMT) Saturday -- Trump said that he would remain in Washington over Christmas instead of going to Florida.
Most critical US security functions remain operational, but 800,000 federal workers are impacted, with many furloughed just days before Christmas while others deemed essential are working unpaid.
And as many other Americans and tourists began their end-of-the year holidays some national parks have shuttered completely, while others remain open but without any visitor services including restrooms and maintenance.
New York's governor provided funding to the Statue of Liberty monument and Ellis Island so those key attractions could remain open.
The government began the partial shutdown after Republican senators failed to gain the votes needed to approve $5 billion for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall on the US-Mexico border, which is fiercely opposed by Democratic Party lawmakers.
Frantic negotiations by lawmakers at both chambers of Congress on Friday failed to reach a deal, sending parts of the federal government into paralysis at midnight.
The shutdown was the latest evidence of dysfunction in Washington and does not bode well for next year, when Democrats will have a stronger hand as they take control of the House of Representatives.
Source: AFP
Your Comment