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The partial shutdown of the US government, which will become the longest Sunday in the history of the United States, was seriously perceived on Friday when nearly 800,000 civil servants were left without pay. Trump's efforts to build a wall against immigration at the Mexican border and the Democrats' refusal to fund it have given way to an unprecedented situation that foreshadows the challenges awaiting the controversial president in this new phase of power sharing. In the absence of an agreement that seems unattainable, the closure could only end with a declaration of national emergency, which the President has threatened for days, though Friday has stated "it is not something that"
The federal bureaucracy that maintains many aspects of American life is funded by an annual budget established and approved by Congress. This is done through a dozen bills that must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the Senate and that the President must approve. If this majority is not exceeded, or if the president does not sign the package by the regulatory deadline, the unfinished parts of the government are closed. Employees are sent home with unpaid leave, except for those deemed essential by the nature of their work – they are forced to work without earning.
How does this stop happen?
From Friday to the middle of the month. night (Washington time), when it matched the 21-day arrest of the Bill Clinton administration that ended January 6, 1996, is the longest episode recorded. This is a partial status quo, which does not affect the entire federal government, other departments that have already been funded in advance. Clinton was also partial, but much larger. The fact that this only affects about a quarter of the government is one of the reasons it can last so long. The relevant departments are agriculture (40% of its employees), trade (87%), national security (13%), housing and urban planning (95%), the l & # 39; inside (78%), justice. (19659003).
Almost 800,000 employees do not get a job.
Almost 800,000 employees do not get a job. A total of 420,000 of them have been qualified as essential and work without pay, such as airport customs staff and border guards; Another 380,000 returned home. In some cases, the workers involved face serious difficulties, as evidenced by the fact that they owe a total of $ 249 million in monthly mortgage payments, according to the Zillow Real Estate website. In other cases, they have received salary arrears, but this is not guaranteed.
Consequences for the rest of the citizens
Farmers, for example, will not be able to benefit from badistance allowing them to participate in recently approved aid programs. National parks and museums are closed or offer very limited services. About 30 million small business owners do not have access to loans and technical badistance from the federal government. Who wants to buy a house or refinance a mortgage is obliged to wait. Food security inspections are delayed, the law against gender-based violence is short of resources and activities are virtually paralyzed by scientific research agencies, including NASA.
The government's closure began at midnight on December 21, after the congressional president and Democrats failed to reach an agreement to fund the wall Trump wants to build on the border with Mexico. The Chair calls for the addition of $ 5.7 billion for federal funding to be approved by December 21. Trump refuses to yield to a trial that Democrats consider a costly and ineffective measure and, in the words of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as "immorality".
Whose fault? Trump. For others, congressional Democrats. In any case, the blockade is due to the new reality of division of power that began to prevail in the country on January 3, since the Democrats control the House of Representatives (deputies) during this legislature. Polls indicate that most Americans blame Republicans and especially the President. Most do not support the wall or do not believe that it is a priority. Trump himself declared in December, at a meeting with Democratic leaders, that he would badume his "responsibility" with "pride". But now he blames the opposition.
How can we solve it?
For the moment, there seems to be only two releases: a very difficult one and a very controversial one. The first is to reach an agreement that will allow both parties to proclaim a victory. For example, approving the financing of part of the wall in exchange for other measures. The second, a national emergency declaration that allows the president to dribble Congress and decide himself to build the wall. This would be a very unorthodox use of presidential powers, which would trigger an arduous constitutional battle. On 3 January, the Lower House, with a Democratic majority, approved measures to fund all closed departments unrelated to border security. The Senate, with a Republican majority, refuses to vote on a proposal for a veto by the president. On 14 January, Trump threatened to maintain the closure for "months or even years". In recent days, he has become increasingly supportive of the declaration of a national emergency.
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