
Democrats were for a wall before they were against it
Trump's State of the Union speech could become a casualty of the partial shutdown after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked President Donald Trump to postpone his January 29 address.
The longest such shutdown in USA history dragged into its 25th day with neither President Donald Trump nor Democratic congressional leaders showing signs of bending on the topic that triggered it - funding for a wall Trump promised to build along the border with Mexico.
Pelosi had written to the president on Wednesday asking him to delay his State of the Union address, as the ongoing government shutdown would mean federal law enforcement officers would be working the event without pay.
The shutdown began on December 22 after Trump insisted he would not sign legislation funding the idled government agencies unless it included more than $5 billion for the border wall.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have offered $1.3 billion for border security, but Pelosi has ruled out any funding for Trump's wall.
The group released a statement saying they met with Trump in the White House Situation Room regarding the shutdown.
The uncertainty surrounding the speech also underscored the unraveling of ceremonial norms and niceties in Trump's Washington, with the shutdown in its fourth week, the White House and Democrats in a stalemate and the impasse draining the finances of hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
The nation's two most powerful leaders appeared to be engaged in a game of constitutional one-upmanship as negotiations to end the monthlong partial government shutdown failed to produce results.
"Republican support for the wall is at record high, while Democratic support has reached a new low", the Pew said in a report, reports Xinhua news agency.
Trump had previously shot down that suggestion, insisting that he wouldn't accept a deal to reopen the government without an agreement on wall funding, and White House officials were pressing Republican senators to not sign the new letter, The Washington Post reported. The House and Senate had voted to give the workers back pay whenever the federal government reopens.
800,000 federal workers are going without pay during the shutdown.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said it was recalling about 2,500 furloughed Farm Service Administration employees to assist farmers with existing loans and ensure the agency meets a deadline for providing tax documents.
President Donald Trump has told supporters in a conference call that the shutdown will continue, in his words, "for a long time" if it has to.
"The Democrats are not going to negotiate with the government shut down", he said.
Trump has said he won't sign legislation without money for his promised wall at the border with Mexico.
Economists have estimated that each week the shutdown continues will shave off 0.1 percent of economic growth.
The shutdown, now in its 26th day, affects nine government departments, including the Department of Homeland Security, of which the Secret Service is a component.
Trump, who a week ago seemed intent on declaring a national emergency in order to build the wall, has turned his attention back to Congress as polling shows he is taking much of the blame for the standoff. They're from a bipartisan group called the Problem Solvers Caucus.
Related news
-
Will Alvaro Morata start vs Arsenal this weekend in the Premier League?
It is now unclear if the Spanish side will be signing Morata on a loan deal or that the forward will complete a permanent deal. The reason why La Liga outfit Sevilla dropped the interest to sign former Real Madrid attacker from Chelsea has been revealed.R. Kelly accuser says singer threatened to reveal her sex life
Kelly , someone who has been termed ´the King of R&B´ and is loved by many has not been easy", Rodgers said Monday. On January 11, Kelly's attorney Steve Greenberg denied all allegations of sexual misconduct made in " Surviving R.For the First Time, Plants Have Been Grown On the Moon
The lunar probe and its rover, Yutu-2, transmitted the first-ever "close range" image of the far side of the moon last week. The mission is part of China's ambitious push to explore the Moon's resources and its potential as a space base. -
Death penalty for Canadian escalates China-Canada tensions
In the weeks that followed her arrest China detained two other Canadian citizens. Schellenberg would be the first Canadian executed in China.West Ham's Antonio Speaks Out On The 'Difficult Situation' Rice Is Facing
After the defeat to West Ham , Emery was asked about Ozil's failure to even make the bench against. The full-back goes up, he's able to go out wide to deal with it.Trump says he 'never worked for Russia' in response to NYT report
The discredited Federal Bureau of Investigation leaders are "known scoundrels", Trump told reporters. "That was one extreme". The other extreme is that the President is completely innocent, and we discussed that too. -
Chris Pratt announces engagement to Schwarzenegger
In December 2018, engagement rumours began to swirl when Pratt posted a very public tribute to his now-fiancée on Instagram . Anna's message comes after she and Pratt announced their separation in July 2017, following eight years of marriage.Eating a lot of dietary fibers increases life expectancy
Eating plenty of fruit, veg and whole grains can slash the risk of a premature death by nearly a third, according to new research. The results also showed diets with a low glycaemic index and low glycaemic load provided limited to no benefit.Kuchar two ahead in Hawaii in bid for ninth PGA Tour win
Kuchar's final-round 66 put him at 22-under 258 for the tournament, with Putnam finishing at 18 under with a 2-under 68 on Sunday. Reavie had five birdies through nine holes but after he made the turn, his scorecard was colored with three consecutive bogeys. -
Why Tom Brady Will Never Win Another Super Bowl
Once again, the Patriots are a win away from the Super Bowl, which at this point has been a phrase uttered annually. Weather.com's long-term outlook calls for a high of 15 degrees in Kansas City on Sunday, and an overnight low of 6.Several injuries in Ottawa bus crash, no immediate word of fatalities
Gabe Rivett-Carnac arrived at Westboro station on a double-decker bus himself about an hour before the crash. In 2013, an Ottawa bus collided with a Via Rail train in suburban Barrhaven, killing six people.Federer shares shock at Murray's retirement, discusses end of his own career
I don't really care. " The fact is that I just don't feel comfortable talking about these things, even in private". We are back to the top positions, fighting for things again. "I'm very excited to be back here in Melbourne ".
Top Stories
Pregnant Meghan Markle called a 'fat lady' by doting pensioner
This is Her Royal Highness's first official visit to Mayhew in her new role as Patron of the charity. Meghan paired the eye-catching dress with black heels and had her hair in a chic updo.
Man Utd legend Neville: Solskjaer out-thought Tottenham boss Pochettino
Everything comes when you are more free, have the trust of the manager and the players, it makes it easy for me. Tottenham had a couple of chances as well but Manchester United looked really threatening in the channels.
Clemson QB Praises Trump's Fast Food Banquet: 'It Was Awesome'
Social media was confused at first, then many were amazed to see the actual spread that the president is providing. Because of the Shutdown I served them massive amounts of Fast Food (I paid), over 1000 hamburgers etc.
India suspends Pandya, Rahul over comments on women
While KL Rahul does not seem to have made such statements himself on the episode, he did not counter Hardik either. This development comes even as an inquiry into their comments is pending.
Samsung's Galaxy M series is launching in India on January 28
The "Oh-mAh-God" battery could be the 5,000mAh battery that is rumored to power the Galaxy M20 smartphone . Samsung will sell the devices exclusively through its online store and Amazon's India e-commerce portal.
Murray: I should have done better in career
If I am not feeling good, I will not be here", Nadal told reporters two days before the start of the first Grand Slam of the year. He said his two options were to take the next four-and-a-half months off and play Wimbledon or go for the operation immediately.
China sentences Canadian man to death for drug smuggling amid Huawei row
He told The Associated Press that "it's hard not to see a link" between the case and Canada's arrest of Meng. A Canadian teacher was detained but released.
Meghan Markle Lets Slip Which Month Her First Baby Is Due
Meghan Markle shared a sweet moment with a pregnant fan while out in Birkenhead, England, on Monday. They ended their visit at the Hive Wirral Youth Zone, run by the charity OnSide Youth Zones.
The big freeze: deadly snow storms hit US, Europe
Forecasters said heavy snow could fall in mountain areas north of Interstate 64, such as Charlottesville and Staunton, Va. At least four people have died and scores of motorists were injured and stranded, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.
Rosenthal: The Yankees are now out on Manny Machado, right? Well…
It's also worth mentioning that the Yankees recently signed Troy Tulowitzki , a longtime teammate of LeMahieu's in Colorado. That would open up second base for LeMahieu, at least until Gregorius is set to return.