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Trump vows 'very long' government shutdown over border wall | Trump vows 'very long' government shutdown over border wall |
(35 minutes later) | |
US President Donald Trump has threatened a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund his long-promised border wall. | US President Donald Trump has threatened a "very long" government shutdown if Democrats do not fund his long-promised border wall. |
In a series of tweets on Friday, Mr Trump demanded $5bn (£4bn), which was approved by the House but is expected to fail in the Senate. | In a series of tweets on Friday, Mr Trump demanded $5bn (£4bn), which was approved by the House but is expected to fail in the Senate. |
"Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!" he tweeted. | "Shutdown today if Democrats do not vote for Border Security!" he tweeted. |
If no deal is reached, parts of the US government will begin to close at midnight on Friday. | If no deal is reached, parts of the US government will begin to close at midnight on Friday. |
The partial shutdown would be the third such closure of federal agencies in 2018. | The partial shutdown would be the third such closure of federal agencies in 2018. |
What did Mr Trump say? | |
In early morning tweets on Friday, Mr Trump accused Democrats of "trying to belittle the concept of a Wall, calling it old fashioned". | |
"The fact is there is nothing else's that will work, and that has been true for thousands of years. It's like the wheel, there is nothing better," Mr Trump wrote. | |
"If the Dems vote no, there will be a shutdown that will last for a very long time. People don't want Open Borders and Crime!" | |
Mr Trump - who will postpone his holiday in Florida in the event of a shutdown, aides say - urged Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell to invoke the so-called "nuclear option". | |
What is the 'nuclear option'? | |
It would allow the budget vote to pass by a simple majority of 51 votes, rather than the 60 votes currently required under filibuster rules. | |
The president's Republican party currently has 51 seats in the 100-seat Senate. | The president's Republican party currently has 51 seats in the 100-seat Senate. |
But Mr McConnell has repeatedly refused to invoke such an extreme legislative manoeuvre. | But Mr McConnell has repeatedly refused to invoke such an extreme legislative manoeuvre. |
Pundits say the "nuclear option" would politically inflame an upper chamber that prides itself on comity. | Pundits say the "nuclear option" would politically inflame an upper chamber that prides itself on comity. |
What happens if the government closes? | |
Roughly a quarter of the federal government - including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, Agriculture, State, and Justice - will shut down at midnight on Friday if no deal is reached. | |
But massive federal programmes on pensions and healthcare will continue to function, as will the military, federal judiciary and air traffic control. | |
Neither will the US Postal Service, which is delivering a flurry of packages ahead of Christmas, be affected because it is an independent agency. | |
Federal workers who are deemed "essential" will also remain on the job, but will not receive a paycheque directly before the Christmas holiday. | |
If the shutdown occurs, it is not likely to be settled until after the New Year, when Democrats take control of the House of Representatives. |