US president Donald Trump threatened to shutdown the government ahead of the coming spending deadline in September if Congress does not fund his border wall and change the nation’s immigration laws.
“I would be willing to ‘shut down’ government if the Democrats do not give us the votes for Border Security, which includes the Wall! Must get rid of Lottery, Catch and Release etc. and finally go to system of Immigration based on MERIT! We need great people coming into our Country!” said Trump
Republicans, trying to protect their majority in Congress, are playing down the chance of a shutdown as the November election nears. Trump, however, isn’t backing away from the idea.
Trump returned to the idea of shutting down the government over the border wall after meeting at the White House last week with House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to discuss the fall legislative agenda.
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Trump has previously floated the possibility of a government shutdown over border security and immigrations, and this time, he made his threat explicit, saying he would do so unless Congress funds his proposed wall, which he promised Mexico would pay for, and puts in place his preferred immigration policies.
In May, Trump had suggested “closing up the country for a while” if he did not get his ‘wall’.
The US federal government last shut down was over a spending bill when the Congress failed to reach consensus due to political fights.
