Shutdown leaves US federal employees worried about their jobs

Both the Republican and Democratic lawmakers were concerned when the Congress entered the second day of shutdown that both sides wanted to avoid. but could not resolve the issue.

The controversies between the parties could not be resolved as Democrats -- who insisted that any funding legislation extend Obama-era protections for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children -- and Republicans -- who reportedly refused to negotiate around immigration until the government reopens.

Many senior Republican and Democratic lawmakers continued to engage in informal discussions Sunday morning but to no avail.

Several moderates met repeatedly with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Saturday and, according to reports,  tried to convince them to reopen the government through Feb. 8 and holding an immigration vote before that date.

The moderate group hoped that a deal would be reached  before Monday, when federal employees will normally return to work and end the confrontation between the two parties which had risen on anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidency.

The Senate is scheduled to vote at 1 a.m. Monday on a bill to reopen the government through Feb. 8, subject to approval from party leaders on immigration and budgetary issues.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Images: sourced from Facebook