WASHINGTON — The House adjourned without a deal on spending Friday night, ensuring a partial government shutdown at midnight with President Donald Trump demanding billions of dollars for his long-promised Mexican border wall.
- Senate Republicans trying to get votes to fund border wall
- Government shutdown will happen midnight
- President backpedals on making Mexico pay for wall
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Trump’s top envoys were straining to broker a last-minute compromise with Democrats and some of their own Republican Party’s lawmakers. But as Vice President Mike Pence, acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and senior adviser Jared Kushner dashed back and forth at the Capitol there were no outward signs of a deal.
The House adjourned, and senators were told there would be no more votes Friday night.
Both houses will return around noon Saturday.
President Trump seemed to back down on the border wall funding earlier this week, but he received pressure from the Republican base, including immigration hardliners in the U.S. House.
"Mr. President, we'll back you up. If you veto this bill, we'll be there. But more importantly, the American people will be there," said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-North Carolina.
The president tweeted Friday morning that there would be a shutdown if there is no vote on border security.
Trump has gone back on his campaign promise. He repeatedly said that Mexico would pay for the wall.
Now, the president wants $5 billion in funding to expand the border wall between Mexico and the U.S. In addition, Trump shifted his language, saying he is not necessarily demanding a border wall but "steel slats" — which is similar to the border security fencing already provided for in the bill.
Democrats, however, are refusing to budge on the issue.
"The Trump temper tantrum will shut down the government, but it will not get him his wall," Sen. Chuck Schumer said.
What a Shutdown Means
The shutdown would affect 25 percent of the federal government. However, it should not affect holiday travel as Transportation Security Administration workers will not be impacted. Also not affected: the military, social security checks and the mail.
Some 420,000 government employees deemed "essential" will continue to work, but their pay will be withheld until the shutdown is over.
Another 380,000 workers would be furloughed.
At Kennedy Space Center, only about 196 of the over 2,000 employees would be exempt from furloughs. The visitor's complex will remain open.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.