Democrats move to end government shutdown

Axios reported that Democrats in the US Senate expressed, on Sunday, their willingness to move forward with a package of bills aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, according to what multiple sources reported to the site.

The sources indicated that at least 10 Democratic members intend to support a procedural proposal that would allow the submission of a package of spending bills, in addition to a temporary short-term funding measure for the federal government.

The sources from both parties added that the expected agreement will include a vote on extending tax exemptions for the health care program that was launched during the era of former President Barack Obama, during next December.

Trump attacks Democrats

US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States is officially experiencing the longest government shutdown in the country’s history, and blamed the Democrats for that.

Trump stated, during a meeting with Republican senators at the White House: “The government shutdown is now officially the longest government shutdown in the history of America.”

He added: “Democrats are acting suicidal as they are destroying our country… and I do not think they get the blame they deserve.”

He warned that the government closure affected several sectors, such as the stock market and airlines, stressing, “We must stop the government closure by all means.”

40 days from closing

On Sunday, the US government shutdown entered its 40th day, even as senators remained in Washington for a grueling weekend session in hopes of finding an end to a funding struggle that has disrupted flights across the country, threatened food aid to millions of Americans, and left federal workers unpaid.