The United States is once again under the threat of a partial government shutdown as politicians in both parties use a funding deadline as an opportunity to force through major legislative goals.
Although some bills have been passed, much of the US government is still funded via a short-term continuing resolution, which will expire on 7 December. These areas include homeland security, the Department of Justice and the IRS.
Donald Trump has insisted that any government funding deal must include at least $5bn for a wall along the US border with Mexico. It is not the first time the president has threatened to shut down the government.
Democrats are hoping to use the showdown over government funding to force through legislation protecting Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 US election and possible links to the Trump campaign.
The party is also hoping to use it as leverage to keep the commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, from adding a question about citizenship status to the census, which they fear will keep undocumented immigrants from being counted and lead to an inaccurate process.
Any government funding deal requires bipartisan support, with a 60-vote threshold needed in the Senate, where there are currently only 51 Republicans.
Trump has said this week that he is “totally willing” to shut down the government over funding for a wall and has insisted “I am firm” over his desire for the $5bn total. He told Politico the $5bn request would pay for a physical barrier alone, and that additional funding would be needed for other border security measures.
Senate Democrats have signalled that they are willing to accept $1.6bn in funding for border security, which could potentially encompass funds for a wall.
The funding fight will be the last struggle before Democrats take control of the House in January. At that point, they will have significantly more leverage in future negotiations over keeping the government open.
Trump has not followed through on previous threats to shut down the US government over border wall funding. But with his fellow Republicans set to lose control of the House of Representatives in January following Democrats’ gains in elections this month, Trump’s comments have raised concern that this time he may not back down.