President Trump told Democratic leaders Tuesday he would gladly shoulder the responsibility of shutting down the U.S. government if Congress doesnt meet his demand to provide $5 billion to build his wall on the U.S.- Mexico border.
Congress faces a Dec. 21 deadline to decide funding for about half of the federal government. Democrats maintain the $5 billion for the wall is a deal-breaker.
If thats the case, said Mr. Trump, the plug will be pulled, adding, I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down, as if it were something to be proud of.
THOSE AFFECTED by a government shutdown include military servicemen and women whose paychecks will be put on hold. Employees with the Internal Revenue Service will be furloughed as well as large segments of those working at NASA, our national parks, zoos and museums, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Passports wont get processed. Federal loans, including those for agriculture, will not be processed.
The National Institute of Health will stop action on grant applications and its clinical center will be forced to turn away new patients.
The Environmental Protection Agency will almost entirely shut down as will the Education Department, meaning cash stipends to school districts, colleges and vocational programs will stop.
About half of the Pentagons civilian employees will be sent home without pay and some intelligence services overseas will stop.
Though Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics would remain open, the processing of claims would cease, causing nightmarish backlogs.
Shutdowns are also expensive.
The last time the government was forced to close up shop for 16 days in late 2013 it cost taxpayers $2 billion in lost productivity from more than 800,000 federal employees being furloughed, according to the Office of Management and Budget.
Today, about 850,000 federal employees can expect to stay home.
MR. TRUMP likes the theatrical nature of ultimatums.
A government shutdown is catnip to his chaotic nature. The trouble is, this is not some reality show where a script dictates the outcome.
Real damage happens when services are stopped and paychecks dont come through. Most people cant afford to suffer the consequences of Washingtons brinkmanship.
AT THE HEART of the debate on border security is immigration reform. More resources need to be put toward processing applications, improving monitoring systems, sending aid to those displaced, and enhancing diplomacy between the U.S. and Mexico and Central America.
Thats how we secure our borders, not with a token symbol of strength.
