Government Shutdown

The dispute over President Trump’s wall has impacted the lives of thousands

The recent 35 day government shutdown has now been the longest in history. President Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion to fund his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer refuse to pass legislation to fund for the wall and continue to feud with President Trump.

 

The effects of the government shutdown have hurt many employees around the nation. About 800,000 government workers have been working without pay and are worrying about missing their mortgage and credit card payments. National Park Services across the nation are closed with a growing overflow of trash that is damaging the ecosystem. Human waste is accumulating the toilets at parks. Vandals have gone so far to cut down evergreen trees at Joshua Tree National Park. The Smithsonian Museum and the National Zoo are both closed until further funding. Long security lines at airports are caused by unpaid Transportation Security Administration (TSA) members leaving their jobs to collect enough money to pay their bills.

 

On January 19, Trump proposed a bill on immigration that included temporary protection for DACA “Dreamers.” This bill would have offered protection for young illegal immigrants  for three years. Democrats quickly dismissed his proposal and demanded the re-opening of the government for proper discussion of border security.

 

The government reopened on January 25 allowing federal workers to return to work on Monday the 28. Trump and the Democrats will continue to negotiate a deal for three weeks until February 15. If Democrats do not comply with Trump’s funding for his border wall, he threatens to shutdown the government once more.

The harmful consequences of the government shutdown has affected American lives across the nation. With February 15 quickly approaching, President Trump and the Democrats must come to an agreement before more federal workers lose their paycheck.