For the first time in modern U.S. political history, it was decided that the government will shut down with all three branches of government under the rulership of the same party, on Friday night, January 19.
Despite Republicans having majority control over Congress, the Senate, and the White House, they failed to get the votes needed to pass a short-term spending bill that would have kept the fed running for another month.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle were tasked with reaching an agreement before midnight but came up short of the 60 votes needed after four Republicans aligned with Democrats, albeit five Democrats having crossed over to side with the GOP. The Senate adjourned early Saturday and by noon had reconvened, as did the House. The impasse is being blamed on the Democrats' unwillingness to move forward with a vote if DACA (the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program) is not a part of negotiations.
As a result of the shutdown, thousands of federal employees will be placed on leave, with 1,056 of those bearing positions in the President's Executive Office, and 659 of those being essential employees who will continue to work. While some will report for duty on Monday, they will only be able to do so for four hours. Thousands of others will not report, and those include civilian Dept. of Defense employees. Those currently serving in the military, however, will have to continue carrying out duties, and will potentially do so without pay.
The shutdown comes exactly one year to the day President Trump was inaugurated into office.
