(The American Dossier)
Mike Norris, Co-Editor January 9, 2019 - On the heels of the President’s nationally televised speech, Congressional leaders from both parties continued to make the rounds on Capitol Hill; desperate to sell their solutions to the partial government shutdown. As the impasse reaches day 19, both parties insist they are eager to work with the other side…as long as they do not have to compromise.
In a Wednesday morning floor speech, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), noted that many prominent Democrats, including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, had previously supported border fencing and other barriers, characterizing the current opposition as “partisan spite.”
During a bill-signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Wednesday afternoon, the President reminded legislative leaders that he could find other means to build his wall if Congress refuses to appropriate the $5.7 billion he demanded. “I think we might work a deal, and if we don’t, we might go that route,” Trump stated, maintaining that he has the “absolute right” to declare an emergency.
With the shutdown threatening to become the longest in American history, there is growing concern about the toll the shutdown is taking on everyday Americans. This week, approximately 800,000 federal workers begin missing paychecks. While furloughed employees are likely to receive back-pay for the weeks out of work, approximately 4.1 million contractors will not be compensated. With almost 80% of American workers living paycheck to paycheck (according to a 2017 report by CareerBuilder), the impact will be felt immediately.
In addition to government employees and contractors, the partial shutdown is beginning to affect many of the President’s supporters, including small businesses. Breweries, wineries and distilleries are experiencing delays, and are losing money because permits are not being issued due to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau ceasing operations during the shutdown. And once the bureau reopens, there will likely be a backlog of applications to be processed, which has business owners worried.
The agricultural industry is also being affected, as many farmers count on the governments assistance this time of year. From January - March, farmers pay for the majority of their yearly expenses; including purchasing seed, fertilizer and chemicals for the upcoming season. Much needed funds from an emergency farm-aid bill, however, are frozen and government employees who offer several services to farmers are furloughed. USDA farm services agencies are also closed, which means farmers cannot get loans processed, and the farming industry cannot get the data it needs to set prices for the market.
The shutdown also adversely affects President Trumps number one campaign priority: Immigration. The courts reviewing illegal immigration cases will see a backlog increase in their case load because more than 300 judges have been furloughed. Although current cases of detained immigrants will continue as scheduled, future cases will be delayed; possibly for years.
One bit of good news: On Monday, the Trump administration announced that taxpayers would reap the benefits of the Trump tax cuts even if the shutdown lasts into the filing season, which begins January 28, 2019. The IRS will issue tax refunds on schedule.
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