WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is shutting down as the Senate failed to pass a stop gap spending bill. Negotiations between congressional lawmakers continue.
Last-minute negotiations fell apart as Senate Democrats blocked a four-week short-term spending bill in a late night vote. It led to the fourth government shutdown over the past 25 years. The White House accused the Democrats of the shutdown.
“Senate Democrats own the Schumer Shutdown. Tonight, they put politics above our national security, military families, vulnerable children, and our country’s ability to serve all Americans,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement before Friday midnight.
The White House blamed Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer for standing in the way for the Senate to pass the stopgap spending bill which was already been approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday.
Sanders said in the statement that the White House will not negotiate the status of young immigrants known as “Dreamers” brought to the United States as children “while Democrats hold our lawful citizens hostage over their reckless demands.” Democratic lawmakers have demanded that a spending deal should include protections for Dreamers. (Xinhua)