US shutdown enters second day as Trump calls for ‘nuclear option’

Donald Trump calls for the “nuclear option’’ to change Senate rules to allow solve the finding impasse that’s shutdown the US government.

Donald Trump has called for the “nuclear option’’ to change Senate rules to allow solve the finding impasse that has shutdown the US Government.

His call came as Democrats and Republicans continued their tense stand-off over the deadlock with neither side conceding ground.

The Senate will face a vote at 1am Monday (Washington time) on a bill to fund the government until 8 February after the House voted to approve the bill. But it does not contain any resolution to the issue of the status of so-called “dreamer’’ illegal immigrants which the Democrats have demanded in return for passing the funding bill.

With the Federal Government shutdown entering day two, Senate majority leader Republican Mitch McConnell called on the Democrats to recognise that by blocking the bill they were shutting down essential services across the country to further a non-related and non-urgent immigration issue.

“All of these other things are an emergency,” Senator McConnell said. “The one non-emergency issue that our friends on the other side are trying to shoehorn into this discussion doesn’t reach that status of emergency until March.”

A frustrated president, called on the Senate to change its voting rules to allow a simple majority to pass the bill rather than the 60 per cent currently required. The reform proposal, dubbed the “nuclear option’’ has been rejected by both parties.

“Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border,” Mr Trump tweeted. “The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!”

Great to see how hard Republicans are fighting for our Military and Safety at the Border. The Dems just want illegal immigrants to pour into our nation unchecked. If stalemate continues, Republicans should go to 51% (Nuclear Option) and vote on real, long term budget, no C.R.’s!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 21, 2018

White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said he believed the Democrats refused to pass the bill in order to injure the president.

“I really do believe that at heart here there was an interest by some folks in the Democratic Party to deny the president sort of the victory lap of the anniversary of his inauguration, the chance to talk about the success of the tax bill, the success of the economy and jobs,” he said.

“And I think if they get over that, there’s a chance this thing gets done before 9 o’clock on Monday morning when folks come to work.”

Meanwhile Democrat Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said the Republicans were confused about who was taking the lead in attempts to resolve the deadlock.

“Congressional leaders tell me to negotiate with President Trump,” Senator Schumer said. “President Trump tells me to figure it out with the congressional leaders.”

Democrats have been seeking a deal to protect so-called Dreamers as part of. The funding bill. About 700,000 Dreamers have been shielded against deportation by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, which Mr Trump halted last year. He’s given lawmakers until early March to pass legislation restoring the protections.

(Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia)