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Senate approves spending bill in key step to avert government shutdown Senate approves spending bill in key step to avert government shutdown
(about 11 hours later)
The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday to temporarily fund the government, a key step toward averting a federal shutdown after Donald Trump backed away from his demand for money for a border wall with Mexico.The Senate approved legislation on Wednesday to temporarily fund the government, a key step toward averting a federal shutdown after Donald Trump backed away from his demand for money for a border wall with Mexico.
Senators passed the measure, which would keep government running to 8 February. The House is also expected to move before Friday’s deadline, when funding for a portion of the government expires. Unless the issue is resolved, more than 800,000 federal workers would face furloughs or be forced to work without pay, disrupting government operations days before Christmas.Senators passed the measure, which would keep government running to 8 February. The House is also expected to move before Friday’s deadline, when funding for a portion of the government expires. Unless the issue is resolved, more than 800,000 federal workers would face furloughs or be forced to work without pay, disrupting government operations days before Christmas.
On Thursday morning, Donald Trump attempted to deflect criticism from both sides.
“With so much talk about the Wall, people are losing sight of the great job being done on our Southern Border by Border Patrol, ICE and our great Military. Remember the Caravans? Well, they didn’t get through and none are forming or on their way. Border is tight. Fake News silent!” the president tweeted.
In a post a few minutes earlier, Trump appeared to acknowledge that his long-promised “big, beautiful wall” hasn’t happened and isn’t being funded. Most of the existing border barrier consists of fencing.
“The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country. What they are just beginning to realize is that I will not sign any of their legislation, including infrastructure, unless it has perfect Border Security. U.S.A. WINS!” he tweeted.
US government shutdown: what is it, will it happen and who's to blame?US government shutdown: what is it, will it happen and who's to blame?
While the White House indicated Trump was open to reviewing whatever Congress could pass, the president did not immediately weigh in on the short-term plan.
The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said the Senate will remain in session on Thursday. “We have to see what the House does,” he said.The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, said the Senate will remain in session on Thursday. “We have to see what the House does,” he said.
Many of Trump’s supporters were frustrated that he appeared to retreat on his shutdown threats after promising a fight over the wall, which had been central to his presidential campaign. Just last week Trump said he would be “proud” to shut down the government over his demand for $5 billion for the wall. Some allies described the move as caving on his pledge, expressing concern that it could hurt Trump’s 2020 prospects. Many of Trump’s supporters were frustrated that he appeared to retreat on his shutdown threats after promising a fight over the wall, which had been central to his presidential campaign. Just last week Trump said he would be “proud” to shut down the government over his demand for $5bn for the wall.
Republican congressman Mark Meadows, a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Trump’s political base “will just go crazy” if he signs a bill without wall funding. He warned it will be tougher to win the money next year when Democrats control the House. He said supporters of the president “believe it’s a promise that he’s been telling them that he will keep”. The Republican congressman Mark Meadows, a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, said Trump’s political base “will just go crazy” if he signs a bill without wall funding. He warned it will be tougher to win the money next year when Democrats control the House. He said supporters of the president “believe it’s a promise that he’s been telling them that he will keep”.
On Twitter, Trump appeared to respond to criticism by insisting that “one way or the other, we will win on the Wall!” On Twitter, Trump had appeared to respond to criticism by insisting that “one way or the other, we will win on the Wall!”
Trump counselor Kellyanne Conway also faced tough questioning on Fox & Friends, the morning show known to be one of Trump’s favorites. Host Brian Kilmeade said that Trump has “no leverage,” while Ainsley Earhardt asked why Trump was “softening” his position.
“The president is not softening his stance,” Conway said. “He has a responsibility to keep the government moving forward, and he has a responsibility to get border security.”
Judge blocks Trump policy denying asylum for gang and domestic violence victimsJudge blocks Trump policy denying asylum for gang and domestic violence victims
McConnell, though, portrayed the short-term spending measure as a “simple” bill that would show that Republicans, who control Congress now, will finish the year by not prolonging a potential crisis. “Republicans will continue to fill our duty to govern,” he said.
Voting was delayed until late Wednesday as a bipartisan group of lawmakers, mostly from the west, sought to include language reauthorizing a popular program that supports conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The Land and Water Conservation Fund expired on 30 September, and they have been trying to extend it, but no agreement was reached and talks will continue.Voting was delayed until late Wednesday as a bipartisan group of lawmakers, mostly from the west, sought to include language reauthorizing a popular program that supports conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The Land and Water Conservation Fund expired on 30 September, and they have been trying to extend it, but no agreement was reached and talks will continue.
At one point late in the late evening, senators broke out in a round of Christmas carols from a corner of the chamber. It was unclear how many House members would return to Washington for votes after Republicans lost the majority in the midterm election. Some 70 members missed Wednesday’s session, almost as many Democrats as Republicans. At one point late in the late evening, senators broke out in a round of Christmas carols from a corner of the chamber. It was unclear how many House members would return to Washington for votes after Wednesday.
With Republicans sour on the spending package, passage could depend on Democrats. The Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi, who is on track to become speaker when Democrats take control on 3 January, signaled support for ensuring funding. With Republicans sour on the spending package, passage could depend on Democrats.
“Democrats will be ready to fully, responsibly fund our government in January,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Democrats will be ready to fully, responsibly fund our government in January,” the Democratic House leader, Nancy Pelosi, said in a statement.
As some Republicans grumbled that Trump caved, McConnell lashed out at Democrats for failing to give Trump any of the $5bn that he wanted for the wall. The bill keeps funding at current levels, $1.3bn, for border security and fencing, but not for the wall.As some Republicans grumbled that Trump caved, McConnell lashed out at Democrats for failing to give Trump any of the $5bn that he wanted for the wall. The bill keeps funding at current levels, $1.3bn, for border security and fencing, but not for the wall.
“This seems to be the reality of our political moment,” McConnell said. “It seems like political spite for the president may be winning out over sensible policy.” McConnell said: “It seems like political spite for the president may be winning out over sensible policy.”

US politicsUS politics
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
US SenateUS Senate
US immigrationUS immigration
Trump administrationTrump administration
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