Today, President Donald Trump told reporters he would do “whatever it takes,” when asked how long the US Government shutdown could go on for. He also asserted that he has the right to declare a national emergency to build a wall on the southern border should no deal with Congress be reached on funding the project. However, Democrats plan to test Republicans’ resolve on the issue.
When was the longest US government shutdown?
The current shutdown is in its nineteenth day, which makes it the longest to happen since 1995.
This closure is affecting nearly 800,000 federal employees, including FBI agents and TSA agents who aren’t being paid.
Should the shutdown continue much longer, there are questions as to whether 40 million Americans will be able to afford food and whether those in subsidised housing will be able to pay their rent.
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There are currently only 275 “essential“ employees working at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) during the shutdown, which equates to around 6 percent of the overall workforce.
In October 2013, the US federal government shut down from the first day of the month to the 17.
This was due to legislation appropriating funds for the 2014 fiscal year and resolution for interim authorisation of appropriations for 2014 were not enacted in time.
There are just three days left to go for Trump’s administration to beat the longest shutdown which was in 1995-1996 and lasted 21 days.
How long could Trump keep the US government shut down?
It is unknown how long the government could be shut down for, with Trump declaring he would do “Whatever it takes,” when asked how long the US Government shutdown could go on for.
John Kennedy, a Republican of Louisiana who was in today’s luncheon said: “He gave no indication of any willingness to budge an inch.
“The president– and I happen to agree with him –believes that his only sin is that for the first time in 15 or 20 years he is actually enforcing America’s immigration laws.”
Leaving the Republican weekly lunch today, Trump declared his party to be “totally unified”.
The president said: “The Republicans are totally unified.
“A couple talked about strategy … but they’re with us all the way.”
Trump told reporters he did not declare a national emergency during a televised address on Tuesday night because he thought a deal with Congress was still possible.
He said: ”Because I think we might work a deal, and if we don’t, I may go that route.
“I have the absolute right to do national emergency if I want.”