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The federal government partial shutdown that started in February has dragged to the tail end of March with neither side giving an inch. Talks to fully reopen the government fell apart over the weekend, and long lines at the nation’s airports have become the staggering routine, as unpaid TSA agents start calling in sick or turning in the badges altogether. After breaking down over the weekend, the negotiating may have resumed again to work something out. WOR White House correspondent Jon Decker has covered the partial shutdown from day one; he appeared on 710 WOR’s Curtis Sliwa and Larry Mendte in the Morning program to describe the conditions that led to the breakdown in talks.
Decker explained for Curtis and Larry why President Trump turned down a possible deal that doesn’t include passage of the Save America Act: “Well the President is so obsessed about the Save America Act. He wants that passed, and he believes the only way to do it is to tie it together with reopening the Department of Homeland Security, but as you pointed out, Curtis, this is a non-starter. Democrats and Republicans have dug in their heels as it relates to that particular legislation, and John Thune has said repeatedly… there are no votes to move that bill out of the Senate, and the President can’t take no as an answer.”
But Decker feels all hope is not lost, as cooler heads on both sides of the aisle realize how messy the long lines at the airport look: “There comes a breaking point… and I think that is a real concern for lawmakers for both parties and that’s the reason why there is a concerted effort to try to reach a deal and have it happen this week.”
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