Friday night, Congress raced to find a compromise in order to avoid a government shutdown, and pass the CR (continuing resolution). According to the New York Times, the 2018 government shutdown continued throughout the weekend, making Monday, Jan. 21, the third day.

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While the term ‘shutdown’ assumes the worse, this is not the first time the US government has closed. In fact, the government has shutdown 18 times, the first in 1976 during Gerald Ford’s presidency. The 2018 shutdown began Saturday, Jan. 20 at midnight. Democrats and Republicans were unable to reach a compromise on the CR, which is a stopgap solution until a full budget can be passed. The bill ultimately failed in the Senate.

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According to Independent, the key disagreement between the parties was DACA, and Trump’s removal of the program. Despite Minority leader Chuck Schumer, and Majority leader Mitch McConnell’s huddled efforts for compromise, the Senate voted the CR down. In the event of a government shutdown, thousands of federal employees will be played on furlough, meaning they won’t report to work until the shutdown is lifted. Employees, such as the military, and members of the transportation department, who are classified as “essential” will continue working. National Parks, as well as most federal run tourist activities, such as the Statue of Liberty are closed. However, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the statue, along with neighboring Ellis Island, would reopen on Jan. 22, regardless of the government shutdown. 

In a tweet Governor Cuomo wrote, “we will not stand by as this symbol of freedom and opportunity goes dark.” A deal with the Interior Department, and a payment of $65,000 a day will allow the monument to reopen. According to Buzzfeed News, Gov. Cuomo stated, “The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and opportunity for all, and it is a gross injustice that this administration’s dysfunction caused it to shut down. When this administration tries to deport immigrants, when they close down the Statue of Liberty, they are attacking who we are.” 

{{tncms-inline content=”<p>The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and opportunity for all, and it is a gross injustice that this administration’s dysfunction caused it to shut down.</p>” id=”abc93b87-ae52-4943-8e17-7ae750eff96b” style-type=”quote” title=”Gov. Cuomo” type=”relcontent”}}

The shutdown occurred on the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency. In response to the shutdown the President tweeted, “This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown.” 

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The White House changed it’s answering machine to further blame the Democrats for its failure to answer calls. The recorded message says, “unfortunately, we cannot answer your call today because Congressional Democrats are holding government funding – including funding for our troops and other national security priorities – hostage to an unrelated immigration debate. Due to this obstruction of justice, the government is shut down.”

President Trump signed a bill Monday night officially ending the nearly three day government shutdown. According to CNN, “the House and Senate voted Monday to end the government shutdown, extending funding for three weeks following a deal being reached between Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding regarding assurances related to immigration.” 

The House passed the Cr 266-159, and the Senate passed 81-18. The Washington Post writes, “the breakthrough came Monday after Senate Democrats bowed to pressure to reopen the government, joining Republicans in backing an immigration and spending compromise that was quickly denounced by liberals and immigration activists.” 

In a statement Trump said the administration would “work toward solving the problem of very unfair illegal immigration.” He added, “I am pleased that democrats have come to their senses.” 

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As for DACA, Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said he hoped to be “celebrating” with DACA recipients after a possible victory in three weeks. “To all the ‘dreamers’ watching today: Don’t give up,” he said on the Senate floor. “I know your lives are hanging in the balance.”