Scramble to avert shutdown

US lawmakers rush to prevent partial closure over wall funding

WASHINGTON:

An intensifying spending standoff sent US lawmakers scrambling to avert a partial government shutdown, with Republican and Democratic leaders deadlocked over President Donald Trump’s demands for border wall funding.

As Washington barrelled towards a shuttering of key federal agencies in just four days, the White House appeared dug in on Trump’s call for Congress to budget US$5bil (RM21bil) in 2019 to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border that he insists will check illegal immigration.

If no breakthrough is reached, the shutdown would occur over the Christmas holiday – when most lawmakers flee the US Capitol – leaving Washington red-faced at the end of the year.

The closure could potentially spill into early January, when the new Congress – including a Democratically-controlled House of Representatives – is sworn in.

Lawmakers involved in funding negotiations suggested the first move would have to come from Trump’s team.

“We’ll see soon, but the clock’s ticking away,” Republican Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby said.

Democrats are united in their opposition to Trump’s ask, saying their intent is to vote for no more than US$1.6bil (RM7bil) in border security funding as laid out in bipartisan Senate legislation earlier this month.

Trump launched a fresh attack on the opposition party and its offer of wall-less border security funding. “Anytime you hear a Democrat saying you can have good Boarder (sic) Security without a Wall, write them off as just another politician following the party line,” he tweeted.

White House senior adviser Stephen Miller said on Sunday that building the wall remained a top priority and that Trump was “absolutely” prepared to shut down government to achieve that goal.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer stressed there are not enough votes in Congress to pass wall funding, and that it would be up to Trump to repeal his demand. “President Trump still doesn’t have a plan to keep the government open.

“In fact, the only indication he has given is that he wants a government shutdown,” Schumer said on the Senate floor. — AFP