WASHINGTON — The government shutdown has begun. So has the finger-pointing.
The U.S. government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to resolve a partisan standoff over immigration and spending.
President Donald Trump says Democrats wanted to give him “a nice present” to mark the one-year anniversary of his inauguration.
Democrats are holding our Military hostage over their desire to have unchecked illegal immigration. Can’t let that happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018
He says Democrats “could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead.”
In a series of tweets hours after the shutdown began, the president is trying to make the case for Americans to elect more Republicans in the November elections “in order to power through this mess.”
In a late-night vote, Senate Democrats joined to block a bill that would have kept the government running for another four weeks. A flurry of last-minute negotiations failed to beat the deadline.
“Shutdowns are unnecessary and counter-productive, and I would hope Democrats reconsider their opposition to this non-controversial, short-term funding bill and work with us to keep the government running,” said Ohio Sen. Rob Portman who joined other Republicans in voting to keep the government operating and to continue funding the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Shutdowns are unnecessary and counter-productive, and I would hope Democrats reconsider their opposition to this non-controversial, short-term funding bill and work with us to keep the government running. https://t.co/uDAYCplimg
— Rob Portman (@robportmanOH) January 20, 2018
Democrats have tried to use the Friday night funding deadline to win concessions from Republicans, including an extension of an Obama-era program protecting some young immigrants from deportation. The program is set to expire in March. Republicans sought more time for talks, but Democrats refused.
“The uncertainty created by Republican leadership in Washington is hurting Ohio businesses, jeopardizing our military readiness, and forcing too many families to live in fear,” said Ohio Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.
We're going to stay, we're going to work, and we're going to find a solution that gives Ohio businesses, military installations, and families the certainty they deserve. pic.twitter.com/nKZ6Jfm5ZY
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) January 20, 2018
Before the vote, Brown called on Republicans to approve a short-term continuing resolution to allow the two sides to keep negotiating but voted against the measure that would have allowed a vote to keep the government open.
Brown’s office says he introduced a pair of bills yesterday to ensure that in the event of a government shutdown, members of the military will get paid and members of Congress will not. Brown says he will donate his salary during the shutdown to an Ohio diaper bank.
Congress has scheduled an unusual Saturday session to begin considering a three-week version of the short-term spending measure — and to let the public know they’re at work as the shutdown starts.
It’s a striking display of Washington’s dysfunction as the shutdown halts all but the most essential operations.
The shutdown is only the fourth government closure in a quarter-century but but the first time one has occurred with the same party controlling the White House and Congress.
The shutdown will only partially curb government operations. Uniformed service members, health inspectors, and law enforcement officers are set to work without pay.