Trump to make ‘major announcement’ about govt shutdown

US President Donald Trump has announced to make a "major announcement" today about the long-running US government shutdown and the situation on the country's southern border. The partial shutdown -- which began when Trump refused to sign off on budget legislation that did not include funding for his planned border wall -- enters its fifth week on Saturday. "I will be making a major announcement concerning the Humanitarian Crisis on our Southern Border, and the Shutdown, tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M., live from the @WhiteHouse," Trump tweeted without providing further details.

Trump has mulled declaring a state of emergency on the southern border in a bid to secure funding for the wall without congressional approval -- a move that would almost certainly lead to a challenge in the courts. The US government shutdown, which has left about 800,000 federal workers without a paycheck, is now the longest in the country's history -- and there is no sign of a compromise.

The Office of Management and Budget reportedly issued a memorandum saying that "under no circumstance during a government shutdown" can a congressional delegation use government aircraft for travel. However, Republican Representative Lee Zeldin led a delegation to Iraq and other countries since the shutdown began.

With the two sides showing no sign of a breakthrough, some cash-strapped federal workers -- many working without pay, others forced to stay home -- are tapping life savings, selling possessions or taking advantage of food pantries to help make ends meet. Amid the bickering, a former president called for a truce. “It’s time for leaders on both sides to put politics aside, come together, and end this shutdown,” George W. Bush said on Instagram, where a photograph shows him handing pizzas to members of his Secret Service detail who are protecting him without pay.

Trump to make major announcement about govt shutdown

US President Donald Trump has announced to make a major announcement today about the long-running US government shutdown and the situation on the countrys southern border. The partial shutdown -- which began when Trump refused to sign off on budget legislation that did not include funding for his planned border wall -- enters its fifth week on Saturday. I will be making a major announcement concerning the Humanitarian Crisis on our Southern Border, and the Shutdown, tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M., live from the @WhiteHouse, Trump tweeted without providing further details. Trump has mulled declaring a state of emergency on the southern border in a bid to secure funding for the wall without congressional approval -- a move that would almost certainly lead to a challenge in the courts. The US government shutdown, which has left about 800,000 federal workers without a paycheck, is now the longest in the countrys history -- and there is no sign of a compromise. The Office of Management and Budget reportedly issued a memorandum saying that under no circumstance during a government shutdown can a congressional delegation use government aircraft for travel. However, Republican Representative Lee Zeldin led a delegation to Iraq and other countries since the shutdown began. With the two sides showing no sign of a breakthrough, some cash-strapped federal workers -- many working without pay, others forced to stay home -- are tapping life savings, selling possessions or taking advantage of food pantries to help make ends meet. Amid the bickering, a former president called for a truce. Its time for leaders on both sides to put politics aside, come together, and end this shutdown, George W. Bush said on Instagram, where a photograph shows him handing pizzas to members of his Secret Service detail who are protecting him without pay.