The partial closure of the government may be delayed because of George H.W. Bush's death



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The death of former President George HW Bush is likely to delay the eventual closure of some government operations by at least a week, according to several people familiar with the matter. some parts of the federal government will expire on December 7 at midnight – a deadline set several months ago that would now fall by the end of a week while Washington should focus on national tributes to the late president and his services in Washington and Texas.

Any congressional vote to postpone the expiry of expenses would prolong the confrontation between the White House and Congress on the occasion of the end-of-year festivities, following the demands of the Trump president claiming billions of dollars in border security funding.

Bush, who died on Friday at age 94, is supposed to rest in state on the American Capitol from Monday evening to Wednesday morning. Services should be held Wednesday in Washington. Trump also said Wednesday a day of national mourning that will include a paid day off for much of the federal workforce as a sign of respect.

In the midst of this pageantry, the White House and Congress remain in stalemate on Trump's funding requests of at least $ 5 billion for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Congressional negotiators agreed on funding of just over $ 1 billion for ongoing border fence construction projects. But Democrats in both Houses remain firmly opposed to the larger increase in funding demanded by Mr. Trump, knowing that they can continue to get concessions in a very divided Senate, where at least 60 votes are necessary for the spending bill to remove barriers to obstruction. Congressional advisers aware of the negotiations, who obtained anonymity to talk about ongoing negotiations, said the new spending deadline would likely be extended from one week to 14 December. An assistant stated that the date could be later than that. When lawmakers vote to move the deadline is not clear. The House must meet on Monday night. Votes are not currently scheduled in the Senate until Wednesday.

According to Aides, any official plan to reduce spending time is unlikely to be approved before the last consultations with the White House. This can happen as soon as Sunday, once the president returns from the G20 meetings in Argentina.

A senior administration official told CBS News that the White House was anxiously awaiting a resolution that would extend government funding by one week. be quickly adopted and signed by President Trump. The White House wants to avoid any drama related to the burial, the national mourning and the appreciation of former President Bush.

In addition, the White House and congressional Republicans spoke to create a slightly unusual homeland over the past two years. Security Bill for Border Security – $ 2.5 billion this year and a clause that would automatically come into effect for an additional $ 2.5 billion early next fiscal year. Although unusual, the administration insists that this is not unprecedented.

However, it is not clear whether this approach can attract 60 votes in the Senate without White House concessions on other issues, possibly including a law protecting special advocate Robert Mueller. , the farm. bill and forest fire mitigation in California, among others.

This concept is actively discussed in the context of the prevention of a government closure after the expiry of the current resolution.

The Washington Post announced for the first time the announcement of a possible delay in spending time.

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