Federal government shuts down on anniversary of Trump inauguration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year ago today, Donald Trump stood at the U.S. Capitol and took his place as the nation’s 45th president. He promised to be a man of action, taking charge of a government for the people and away from the establishment.

“We will face challenges. We will confront hardships. But we will get the job done,” Trump promised.

“We will no longer accept politicians who are all talk and no action ― constantly complaining but never doing anything about it,” he added. “The time for empty talk is over.”

A Senate attempt to move forward with a short-term spending bill vote failed Friday night, sending the government into a shutdown on the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration.

Trump’s dealmaker image tarnished by government shutdown – Reuters

Republican senators failed to capture the 60 votes they needed to even vote on the bill that would have funded the government for 30 days. Five Democrats voted with the Republicans to push a spending bill vote, and four Republicans voted with Democrats.

Before being elected president, Trump said in 2011: “But if there is a shutdown I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States. He’s the one that has to get people together.” (Source)

The House passed the 30-day spending bill Thursday night. Debate over what to do next continues Saturday, with Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, saying he would be open to a three-week continuing resolution (CR), instead of a four-week one.

“If Leader McConnell chooses to shut the government down, we must make sure that members of the military are still paid and members of Congress are not,” U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said in a tweet.

“We’re going to stay, we’re going to work, and we’re going to find a solution that gives Ohio businesses, military installations, and families the certainty they deserve,” Brown added.