Negotiations expected to resume over shutdown

December 22, 2018 admin News
The Capitol is seen on the first morning of a partial government shutdown, as Democratic and Republican lawmakers are at a standoff with President Donald Trump on spending for his border wall, in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018. Government operations will be disrupted during the shutdown and hundreds of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed or forced to work without pay just days before Christmas. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON — Negotiations are expected to continue in Washington to try to end the partial government shutdown, and the House and Senate have scheduled rare Saturday sessions.White House budget chief Mick Mulvaney sent agency heads a memorandum telling them to “execute plans for an orderly shutdown.” He says Trump administration officials are hopeful the shutdown “will be of short duration.”

Congressional Democrats are refusing to give in to President Donald Trump’s demands for $5 billion to start building the U.S.-Mexico border wall he’s long promised.

The gridlock blocks money for nine of 15 Cabinet-level departments and dozens of agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, Transportation, Interior, Agriculture, State and Justice.

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The lack of funds will impact many government operations and the routines of 800,000 federal employees. Congress previously passed legislation that will ensure backpay for government employees after the partial shutdown ends.

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