Hope for averting a partial government shutdown dissipated Thursday afternoon as House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) told reporters President Donald Trump would not sign a stopgap funding continuing resolution already passed in the Senate.
“The president informed us he will not sign the bill that came from the Senate last evening because of his legitimate concerns for border security,” Ryan said after meeting with Trump. “So what we’re going to do is go back to the House and work with our members.”
President Trump has been pushing for $5 billion for border wall construction. Democrats, who gain a majority in the House in the new year, have balked at that figure.
Nine cabinet departments will run out of funding at midnight Friday if a spending bill is not passed. USDA and FDA are included on that list.
See what USDA reports and functions would be impacted by a partial government shutdown.
The Senate on Wednesday evening passed a continuing resolution that would have extended funding at current levels through February 8.
President Trump appeared to back off demands for the border wall funding, but was met with criticism from Freedom Caucus members who urged the president to use the budget deadline to fight for border security, prompting Trump to address the issue on Twitter on Thursday.
The Democrats, who know Steel Slats (Wall) are necessary for Border Security, are putting politics over Country. What they are just beginning to realize is that I will not sign any of their legislation, including infrastructure, unless it has perfect Border Security. U.S.A. WINS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018
This is a developing story. Watch AgWeb.com for continuing updates.
