Monday, January 22, 2018

Federal shutdown
The federal government closed it's doors at midnight Friday, because it had no approved funding to operate. First Disrict Congressman Phil Roe a Republican issued a statement saying, " I joined my House Republican colleagues in fulfilling one of Congress’ most basic duties, which is to keep the government open. It is unconscionable that Senate Democrats prefer shutting down the government instead of funding our troops and providing a long-term solution for children’s health care. This Schumer shutdown is bad for America, and East Tennesseans deserve better. We must put party politics aside and pass a funding bill to reopen the government before we address any additional policy matters.” And Republican US Senator of Tennessee Lamar Alexander said, “Shutting down the government of the United States of America should never ever be a bargaining chip for any issue. Period. It should be to governing as chemical warfare is to real warfare. “It should be banned.” And Alexander continued, “More than 50 senators last night, including almost all Republicans and 5 Democrats, voted to keep the government open. The president has said he would sign the continuing resolution to keep the government open. The Democrats are closing down the government because they want a result on an important issue, and they want it now.” The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is being impacted by the shutdown. According to spokesperson Dana Soehn, during a Federal government shutdown, seasonally open roads and trails throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will remain accessible to visitors, however access may change without notice due to inclement weather conditions. The National Park Service will not be operating campgrounds, picnic areas, visitor centers, and restrooms or providing services such as the issuance of backcountry camping permits, trash removal, ranger programs, or visitor center information during this time period. Democrats have been pushing the majority Republicans to develop a long term budget to address needs, after several short-term budget extensions. Democrats also have proposed a continuation of military pay during the shutdown but that has been rejected by Republicans. The sticking points are DACA .....Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals which allows those children brought to the US illegally to stay in the country. President Trump wants such approval to be tied to building a wall on the Southern border. A recent poll found 84 percent want DACA to continue. Another sticking point is CHIPS ....the Children's Health Insurance Program. It provides funding for medical care of low-income children. Republicans included funding of the program in the budget in an effort to entice Democrats to support the plan, but without addressing the DACA issue. Funding for the program ran out as early as last Friday in some states.


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