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US government partially shuts down over border wall row US government partially shuts down over border wall row
(35 minutes later)
A partial US government shutdown has taken effect after US lawmakers failed to break a budget impasse.A partial US government shutdown has taken effect after US lawmakers failed to break a budget impasse.
President Donald Trump, who has to sign off on any deal, is insisting at least $5bn (£4bn) be included for his long-promised wall along the Mexican border.President Donald Trump, who has to sign off on any deal, is insisting at least $5bn (£4bn) be included for his long-promised wall along the Mexican border.
In the absence of a deal, funding for about a quarter of US federal agencies lapsed at midnight (05:00GMT Saturday).In the absence of a deal, funding for about a quarter of US federal agencies lapsed at midnight (05:00GMT Saturday).
Both the House and Senate are set to be back in session at noon on Saturday (17:00GMT) to try to resolve the issue.Both the House and Senate are set to be back in session at noon on Saturday (17:00GMT) to try to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, nine of 15 federal departments, including State, Homeland Security, Transportation, Agriculture and Justice are now partially shutting down.Meanwhile, nine of 15 federal departments, including State, Homeland Security, Transportation, Agriculture and Justice are now partially shutting down.
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees will have to work unpaid or be put on temporary leave. This is the third time US federal funding has lapsed so far this year, although the other two were brief.Hundreds of thousands of federal employees will have to work unpaid or be put on temporary leave. This is the third time US federal funding has lapsed so far this year, although the other two were brief.
What is the row about and how did we get here?What is the row about and how did we get here?
It's pretty much all about the wall.It's pretty much all about the wall.
On Wednesday, a bilateral deal appeared to have been agreed in the Senate to keep federal agencies open until 8 February. But the agreement did not include funding for Mr Trump's wall.On Wednesday, a bilateral deal appeared to have been agreed in the Senate to keep federal agencies open until 8 February. But the agreement did not include funding for Mr Trump's wall.
Mr Trump then dug his heels in over the issue after criticism from conservative talk show hosts and other allies and insisted that funds for the wall must be included for him to sign the budget off.Mr Trump then dug his heels in over the issue after criticism from conservative talk show hosts and other allies and insisted that funds for the wall must be included for him to sign the budget off.
The Republican-controlled House then passed a bill on Thursday approving $5.7bn (£4.5bn) of funding for the wall.The Republican-controlled House then passed a bill on Thursday approving $5.7bn (£4.5bn) of funding for the wall.
Mr Trump is well aware the Democrats are taking control of the House in January and wall funding will then be opposed.Mr Trump is well aware the Democrats are taking control of the House in January and wall funding will then be opposed.
But the other problem for Mr Trump is that he does not have the 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate he needs to get the House budget passed.But the other problem for Mr Trump is that he does not have the 60 votes in the 100-seat Senate he needs to get the House budget passed.
No amount of shuttling between party negotiators on Capitol Hill could resolve the issue before the Saturday deadline.No amount of shuttling between party negotiators on Capitol Hill could resolve the issue before the Saturday deadline.
So what happens now?So what happens now?
Well the Democrats appear to be refusing to budge on funding for the wall.Well the Democrats appear to be refusing to budge on funding for the wall.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said: "President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening towards a 'Trump shutdown' over Christmas."Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said: "President Trump has thrown a temper tantrum and now has us careening towards a 'Trump shutdown' over Christmas."
Mr Trump seems similarly intractable.Mr Trump seems similarly intractable.
In a video address published on his Twitter account shortly before the shutdown began, he said "there is nothing" his Republican party can do about the shutdown and said "we need the Democrats to give us their votes" to resolve it.In a video address published on his Twitter account shortly before the shutdown began, he said "there is nothing" his Republican party can do about the shutdown and said "we need the Democrats to give us their votes" to resolve it.
In a tweet on Saturday he said negotiations with the Democrats could be "a long stay".
The two houses have promised to talk through the weekend to try to resolve the issue.The two houses have promised to talk through the weekend to try to resolve the issue.
Some lawmakers were hopeful that there may be a deal involving less money for the wall and more restrictions on it.Some lawmakers were hopeful that there may be a deal involving less money for the wall and more restrictions on it.
But Mr Trump has also suggested Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell should invoke the so-called "nuclear option" to break the impasse.But Mr Trump has also suggested Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell should invoke the so-called "nuclear option" to break the impasse.
The option would mean the bill could be approved in the Senate with a simple majority instead of the 60 currently required.The option would mean the bill could be approved in the Senate with a simple majority instead of the 60 currently required.
But Mr McConnell has repeatedly refused in the past to invoke such an extreme legislative manoeuvre. A number of Republican senators on Friday also made clear their staunch opposition to the proposal.But Mr McConnell has repeatedly refused in the past to invoke such an extreme legislative manoeuvre. A number of Republican senators on Friday also made clear their staunch opposition to the proposal.
What will the shutdown mean?What will the shutdown mean?
About 380,000 government employees will be made to take temporary, unpaid leave.About 380,000 government employees will be made to take temporary, unpaid leave.
Meanwhile, 420,000 employees working in essential roles - considered necessary for the "protection of life and property" - will keep working, without being paid.Meanwhile, 420,000 employees working in essential roles - considered necessary for the "protection of life and property" - will keep working, without being paid.
In practice, this means that:In practice, this means that:
The remaining 75% of the federal government is fully funded until September 2019 - so the defence, veterans affairs, labour and education departments are not affected.The remaining 75% of the federal government is fully funded until September 2019 - so the defence, veterans affairs, labour and education departments are not affected.
'It's tremendously stressful''It's tremendously stressful'
Martin Ely, 54, a tax officer in Arizona, is affected by the shutdown and says he's frustrated with the politicians.Martin Ely, 54, a tax officer in Arizona, is affected by the shutdown and says he's frustrated with the politicians.
"I would like them not to use us a bargaining chip."I would like them not to use us a bargaining chip.
"I was last paid a week ago and hopefully should still be paid on 30 December for this week just gone, but anything after that will definitely be affected by the shutdown."I was last paid a week ago and hopefully should still be paid on 30 December for this week just gone, but anything after that will definitely be affected by the shutdown.
"I have been an IRS employee for around nine years, and I was furloughed during the 2013 shutdown that lasted from October 1st-17th. Being furloughed is never a pleasant experience. Having to live on savings and/or credit while waiting for back pay, which must be approved by Congress, is tremendously stressful."I have been an IRS employee for around nine years, and I was furloughed during the 2013 shutdown that lasted from October 1st-17th. Being furloughed is never a pleasant experience. Having to live on savings and/or credit while waiting for back pay, which must be approved by Congress, is tremendously stressful.
"During the 2013 shutdown, I spent the entire time glued to the TV watching the news and waiting to be called back to work. Many of my co-workers did the same. We can't travel far or plan a vacation during a shutdown because we usually only get a day's notice or less to report back to work. So it's no holiday, especially during the Holidays.""During the 2013 shutdown, I spent the entire time glued to the TV watching the news and waiting to be called back to work. Many of my co-workers did the same. We can't travel far or plan a vacation during a shutdown because we usually only get a day's notice or less to report back to work. So it's no holiday, especially during the Holidays."
Why does Mr Trump want the wall?Why does Mr Trump want the wall?
A strengthened southern border wall was a key election promise for Mr Trump.A strengthened southern border wall was a key election promise for Mr Trump.
On Friday Mr Trump shared a graphic of his steel-slat wall design for the wall.On Friday Mr Trump shared a graphic of his steel-slat wall design for the wall.
Later, he posted a video regarding the immigration row, where he said it was "very dangerous out there".Later, he posted a video regarding the immigration row, where he said it was "very dangerous out there".
His address, which was spliced with footage that appeared to show immigrants pushing down border fencing, cautioned about drugs and violent gang members entering the country illegally.His address, which was spliced with footage that appeared to show immigrants pushing down border fencing, cautioned about drugs and violent gang members entering the country illegally.
During his campaign he insisted he would make Mexico pay for it, but the country has refused.During his campaign he insisted he would make Mexico pay for it, but the country has refused.
This week Mr Trump's supporters created a crowdfunding page for the building process - an appeal that has so far raised more than $13m (£10m) in just four days.This week Mr Trump's supporters created a crowdfunding page for the building process - an appeal that has so far raised more than $13m (£10m) in just four days.
Have you been affected by the partial government shutdown? Tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukHave you been affected by the partial government shutdown? Tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
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