US: Longest government shutdown - ING

Analysts at ING point out that we are witnessing the longest US government shutdown on record, stemming from an impasse over President Trump’s request for $5.7 billion to fund the construction of a security wall along the border with Mexico, a key pledge from his 2016 campaign.  

Key Quotes

“With funding not forthcoming, President Trump declared on December 20 that he would refuse to sign the 2019 budget unless money for the wall was included. On December 21st the House of Representatives voted in favour, but there wasn’t enough support in the Senate leading to a partial government shutdown starting midnight.”

“With the House now controlled by the Democrats following the November mid-term elections, the prospect of a deal looks even more remote. President Trump is refusing to back down from his position that funding for the wall must be included for him to approve a budget, while Democrat House leader Nancy Pelosi has labelled the wall “immoral” and is refusing to comply. This means we are at a stalemate which risks prolonging the shutdown for weeks, if not months to come.”