To avoid govt logjam, US strikes 2-yr budget deal to lift spending cap

The US Senate on Thursday reached a two-year budget deal to avert another government shutdown when federal funding is due to expire.The deal, agreed upon by both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate, was immediately welcomed by the White House.Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer announced the budget deal in the House."I am very pleased to announce that we have reached a two-year budget deal to lift the spending caps for defence and urgent domestic priorities far above current spending levels," Schumer said.He added that there were still a few final details to work out but all the principles of the agreement were in place.

US Budget impasse: 'Good shutdown' needed to fix 'mess', tweets Trump

President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the US needs a "good shutdown" in September to fix a "mess" in the Senate, expressing frustration over the hurdles posed by the Democratic party in passing the budget proposed by him.

"The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there!" Trump tweeted.

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Donald J. Trump 

✔@realDonaldTrump

The reason for the plan negotiated between the Republicans and Democrats is that we need 60 votes in the Senate which are not there! We....

6:31 PM - 2 May 2017

"We either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51 per cent. Our country needs a good "shutdown" in September to fix mess!" the president tweeted.

Donald J. Trump 

✔@realDonaldTrump

either elect more Republican Senators in 2018 or change the rules now to 51%. Our country needs a good "shutdown" in September to fix mess!

6:37 PM - 2 May 2017

The ruling Republican party has a majority in the 100- member Senate. However, Trump needs 60 votes for the passage of his budget and financial bills, which the Republican party does not have. The Democrats are using this provision to block his budget and other legislative moves.

In his tweets, Trump indicated that if the Senate does not pass the budget that he has proposed, he is not willing to compromise.

In the absence of the budgetary passage of the Congress, the US Government would not have the authority to spend money including even paying salaries to its employees. As a result, the government might come to a stand still.

It was during the term of his predecessor that the government shutdown happened last time.

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