Report: #TrumpShutdown Cost US Economy $11 Billion

Donald Trump

Donald Trump's knee-jerk reaction to criticism by Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, which triggered the longest government shutdown in US history, cost the US economy $11 billion, reports the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

The analysis takes into account lost output from federal workers, delayed government spending and reduced demand.

Via CNBC:

The report, which was released Monday, estimated a hit of $3 billion, or 0.1 percent, to economic activity during the fourth quarter of 2018. The impact was projected to be greater during the first quarter of 2019: $8 billion, or 0.2 percent of GDP.

Although most of the damage to the economy will be reversed as federal workers return to their jobs, the CBO estimated $3 billion in economic activity is permanently lost after a quarter of the government was closed for nearly 35 days.

"Among those who experienced the largest and most direct negative effects are federal workers who faced delayed compensation and private-sector entities that lost business," the report said. "Some of those private-sector entities will never recoup that lost income."

President Agrees To End #TrumpShutdown Without Funding For Border Wall

Donald Trump announced today that lawmakers have reached a deal to end the longest government shutdown in the history of the country, and fund the government through February 15.

After 35 days of posturing by the president, the agreement includes zero money for his proposed border wall.

From The New York Times:

President Trump agreed Friday to reopen the federal government for three weeks while negotiations proceeded over how to secure the nation’s southwestern border, backing down after a monthlong standoff failed to force Democrats to give him billions of dollars for his long-promised wall.

The decision paved the way for Congress to quickly pass spending bills that Mr. Trump will sign to restore normal operations at a series of federal agencies until Feb. 15 and begin paying again the 800,000 federal workers who have been furloughed or forced to work for free for 35 days.

Trump made note during his announcement that he still has "a very powerful" option to get his way (most probably declaring a 'national emergency') but didn't want to use that "at this time."

It's difficult to imagine how Trump can spin this as anything other than wasting five weeks and inflicting financial hardship on the American people.

JUST IN: "I am very proud to announce today that we have reached a deal to end the shutdown and reopen the federal government," President Trump says pic.twitter.com/N9OqqLaRwr

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 25, 2019

Art of the Deal: hold out 35 days to end up where you could have been on Day 1. Only you’ve pissed off the opposition and let down your allies and killed your poll numbers

— Sam Stein (@samstein) January 25, 2019

Pelosi, asked how Trump will handle backdown on reopening government without wall money, gestures toward her office decorations: “we could plant these flowers along the border and he’d say, ‘I got my wall.’ “

— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) January 25, 2019

This isn’t just a cave, it’s a collapse. @TeamPelosi and Dems have checked and balanced this most unchecked and unbalanced of presidents.

— Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) January 25, 2019

To build a wall Trump has:
-Delivered primetime Oval Office address
-Toured the border
-Shut the government down for 35 days
-Warned of rapists, murderers, drugs, terrorists coming from Mexico

Right now Trump is folding to Democrats having secured $0 for the wall

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) January 25, 2019

And Ann Coulter, who goaded Trump into the shutdown, is furious:

Good news for George Herbert Walker Bush: As of today, he is no longer the biggest wimp ever to serve as President of the United States.

— Ann Coulter (@AnnCoulter) January 25, 2019

Trump Agrees To Postpone State Of The Union Address Until #TrumpShutdown Is Resolved

Nancy Pelosi (L) and Donald Trump (R)

From The New York Times:

President Trump said late Wednesday that he would deliver his State of the Union address once the federal government reopens, capping a day of brinkmanship with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who told the president that he was not welcome to deliver the speech in the House chamber while the government is partly closed.

“As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address,” Mr. Trump wrote on Twitter shortly after 11 p.m., hours after he had said he would look for another venue for the speech. “I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over.”

As the Shutdown was going on, Nancy Pelosi asked me to give the State of the Union Address. I agreed. She then changed her mind because of the Shutdown, suggesting a later date. This is her prerogative - I will do the Address when the Shutdown is over. I am not looking for an....

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019

....alternative venue for the SOTU Address because there is no venue that can compete with the history, tradition and importance of the House Chamber. I look forward to giving a “great” State of the Union Address in the near future!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019

House Democrats continue to say they are willing to give Trump substantial amounts of money for border security (technology, manpower), just not for his beloved wall.

The Senate will vote to day on two different proposals - one that supports Trump's demands, one that funds the government shutdown to an end without funding 'the wall.'

Neither proposal is expected to get the necessary 60 votes in the Senate to pass, although 3 Republicans - Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colorado), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), have signaled they would vote for the continuing resolution that would reopen the government.

Speaker Pelosi circled back one more time for clarity:

Mr. President, I hope by saying “near future” you mean you will support the House-passed package to #EndTheShutdown that the Senate will vote on tomorrow. Please accept this proposal so we can re-open government, repay our federal workers and then negotiate our differences. https://t.co/57KMATZZTO

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 24, 2019

Nancy Pelosi To Trump: Come To The House When The Government Has Been Opened

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a letter today to Donald Trump reiterating that she does not intend on hosting the annual State of the Union address in Congress until the ongoing federal shutdown comes to an end.

From CNBC:

In a letter to Trump, Pelosi escalated a standoff over the annual address hours after the president said he would give the speech in the House chamber next week as planned. Earlier this month, Pelosi urged him to reschedule the remarks or deliver them elsewhere during a partial government shutdown.

Pelosi wrote that the Democratic-held House would not pass the resolution needed to approve the joint session of Congress where he would deliver the address. She said lawmakers "will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the President's State of the Union address in the House Chamber until government has opened."

"Again, I look forward to welcoming you to the House on a mutually agreeable date for this address when government has been opened," Pelosi wrote. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said he introduced a resolution Wednesday to allow Trump to deliver the address, but it is unlikely to pass without Pelosi's support.

President Trump’s letter to Speaker Pelosi on the State of the Union pic.twitter.com/B4QN9hDJnv

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 23, 2019

BREAKING: @SpeakerPelosi to decline steps to permit a State of the Union Jan 29 pic.twitter.com/ZDbKGjduNT

— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) January 23, 2019

Polls: Trump's Rating Continue To Sink As He Clings To Border Wall Demand

Donald Trump

Recently polling shows the longer the current Trump shutdown of the federal government continues, the more it wears on his approval rating.

New results from the Morning Consult/POLITICO poll shows Trump's approval rating has dropped to 40% while his disapproval rating has hit an all-time high for this poll of 57%.

More results:

• 54% put the onus on Trump and Congressional Republicans for the government shutdown, while 35% blame Democrats.

• In regarding to the ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, a solid majority - 57% - believe Russia has compromising information on Trump.

The results of the latest CBS News poll aren't any better for Trump:

• 66% of those polled say Trump should agree to the current budget proposal without insisting on his wall.

• Regarding the current shutdown, 47% approved of the way Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is handling the situation versus 35% approving of Trump's approach.

• Trump's approval rating in the CBS News poll has dropped to 36% while 59% disapprove of the job he's doing.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi isn't shy about spreading the news...

NEW CBS POLL 📊

▪️An overwhelming 71% of the American public believe Trump should not be holding workers hostage to his demands.

▪️Oh, and his approval ratings plummet to 36%.https://t.co/JdkBanjB3q

— Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) January 23, 2019

Senate To Hold Two Votes On Ending #TrumpShutdown

Donald Trump

The New York Times reports Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have agreed to hold two votes in the Senate on Thursday regarding the ongoing Trump Shutdown.

The Senate will vote Thursday on two separate bills that would bring an immediate end to the partial government shutdown: one backed by President Trump that includes $5.7 billion for his border wall and another that would simply extend funding for shuttered agencies through Feb. 8.

The plan, a compromise between Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader, offers the first hint of a path out of the partial shutdown, which is now in its fifth week and has left 800,000 federal workers without pay. The two announced it Tuesday afternoon on the Senate floor.

”People are saying isn’t there a way out of this mess, isn’t there a way to relieve the burden on the 800,000 federal workers not getting paid, isn’t there a way to get government services open first and debate what we should do for border security later?” Mr. Schumer said. “Well, now there’s a way.”

There will be TWO votes on the Senate floor Thursday.
1. Trump bill with $5,7 billion for border wall.
2. Clean CR, already passed by House, to reopen shuttered agencies through Feb. 8.

Both are procedural votes. First hint of a pathway out. https://t.co/rpj5K1TgZp

— Sheryl Gay Stolberg (@SherylNYT) January 22, 2019

Could this be an end to the shutdown?! @realDonaldTrump vote loses; Senate substitute passes, reopening with all back pay and next paycheck;

House passes it quickly; and we have til February 8th to address the pending appropriations bills.

— Sheldon Whitehouse (@SenWhitehouse) January 23, 2019

Wait. You mean Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had the authority to introduce legislation to reopen the government the past 32 days instead of blocking all votes in the Senate? Who knew? https://t.co/PA15vQVM0W

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) January 22, 2019

Trump Offers Temporary DACA Relief In Exchange For His Permanent Wall To End #TrumpShutdown

Donald Trump, in a national address from the White House, offered a temporary extension of protections for some undocumented immigrants in exchange for $5.7 billion to fund his beloved wall.

From the New York Times:

In casting the proposal as a compromise, Mr. Trump sought to shift pressure to Democrats to end the government shutdown.

The president, delivering a 13-minute address from the White House, said he would extend the legal status of those facing deportation and support bipartisan legislation that would allow some immigrants who came to the United States illegally as children, known as Dreamers, to keep their work permits and be protected from deportation for three more years if they are revoked.

“That is our plan,” Mr. Trump said. “Straightforward, fair, reasonable and common sense with lots of compromise.” The proposal, Mr. Trump said, was intended to “break the logjam and provide Congress with a path forward.”

But he reiterated his demand for $5.7 billion in funding for a border barrier, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said ahead of his remarks that she considered his proposal a “nonstarter,” in part because it offered no permanent pathway to citizenship for Dreamers.

I agree with Pelosi. If he wants a permanent wall, then we want permanent protections for the DACA Dreamers.

Last year, Republicans rejected a Democratic bill for $25 billion in border wall funding in return for DACA amnesty.

It's worth noting that Trump himself started the issue with DACA. So, now he's merely offering a temporary solution for a mess he made.

As expected, President Trump offered Democrats temporary protections for so-called "Dreamers" in exchange for border funding. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has signalled that the Democrats will reject the proposal. https://t.co/w1zo5dcUuy

— Twitter Moments (@TwitterMoments) January 19, 2019

What is original in the President’s proposal is not good. What is good in the proposal is not original. Democrats will vote next week to add additional border security funding for ports of entry, advanced technology for scanning vehicles for drugs & immigration judges.

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 19, 2019

It was President @realDonaldTrump who single-handedly took away DACA and TPS protections in the first place—offering some protections back in exchange for the wall is not a compromise but more hostage taking.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 19, 2019

DACA recipients and federal workers are not bargaining chips. It's time to reopen the government.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) January 19, 2019

Trump ordered the end of DACA and TPS. Then he shut down the government. Now he’s holding federal workers hostage, saying he'll temporarily give back what he took away—only if we give him a pointless, ineffective wall he falsely promised Mexico would pay for. This is a bad deal.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) January 19, 2019

Trump’s almost impossible proposition: he wants a PERMANENT wall for a TEMPORARY extension for Dreamers and TPS recipients.
(Or $ 5.7 B for 230 miles of new wall/metal barriers for extending DACA and TPS for 3 years.)
It seems unfair. Why not permanent for permanent?

— JORGE RAMOS (@jorgeramosnews) January 19, 2019

Trump stole DACA protections from all the Dreamers. Now he wants us to give him a wall in exchange for 3 years of deportation protection so he can deport them later when it's finished.

Trump created this crisis. It's his to fix.

— Tea Pain (@TeaPainUSA) January 19, 2019

Trump Plans To Offer DACA Protections In Exchange For His Wall

Donald Trump

Axios' Jonathan Swan is reporting Donald Trump plans to offer passage of the BRIDGE Act for DACA recipients to Democrats today in exchange for the $5.7 billion he wants for his beloved wall.

President Trump plans to use remarks from the Diplomatic Reception Room on Saturday afternoon to propose a notable immigration compromise, according to sources familiar with the speech.

Details: The offer is expected to include Trump’s $5.7 billion demand for wall money in exchange for the BRIDGE Act — which would extend protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — and also legislation to extend the legal status of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, according to a source with direct knowledge.

For their part, Dems are reportedly preparing to pass a package of six spending bills next week which will include an extra $1 billion for additional border security measures.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Asks Trump To Postpone State Of The Union Address

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has asked Donald Trump to postpone his State of the Union address to Congress until the Trump Shutdown is solved.

Today, I wrote to @realDonaldTrump recommending that we delay the State of the Union until after government re-opens, as the @SecretService, the lead federal agency for #SOTU security, faces its 26th day without funding. https://t.co/K2oL8WGvqo pic.twitter.com/g3fIlxDbbK

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 16, 2019

Politico reporter Rachel Bade says Democrats are not of a mind to give Trump a platform to blame them in a national address for a situation he created.

Pelosi reportedly asked that perhaps Trump could deliver his SOTU to Congress in writing.

Can you imagine? He can barely author a tweet.

BREAKING: @SpeakerPelosi just asked to postpone the SOTU until after the shutdown. Dems don’t want to give Trump a platform to blame them for a crisis they believe he caused.

— Rachael Bade (@rachaelmbade) January 16, 2019

Man. @SpeakerPelosi is a gangsta. The #SpeakerOfTheHouse invites POTUS to deliver the State of the Union. She just told @realDonaldTrump open the govt or deliver the #SOTU in writing. She hit him where it hurts -- prime time TV access. What WILL he do? https://t.co/ExnSkgHA2I

— Tiffany Cross (@TiffanyDCross) January 16, 2019

This Pelosi move feels like classic Pelosi. Makes a public, formal request to the president to postpone SOTU. Tees it up politely. But really, she's not asking. She controls if or when SOTU happens. This is gonna drive Trump crazy. https://t.co/kL4vUciATQ

— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 16, 2019

More Polling Shows Trump Bears The Blame For #TrumpShutdown

More Americans blame Donald Trump for current government shutdown

New polling from Morning Consult/Politico shows more Americans blame Donald Trump for the current shutdown of the federal government than the Democrats.

From the data culled from surveying 1,984 registered voters:

• 49% blame Donald Trump for the shutdown versus 33% who put the onus on Democrats

• 36% say Trump should declare a 'national emergency' to get his wall while a slight majority - 51% - would view that action as an abuse of power

• 47% say they will 'definitely' vote for someone other than Trump in the 2020 presidential election compared to just 23% who would 'definitely' vote for Trump

• Broken down by political party, 85% of Democrats and 48% of Independents say they would 'definitely' vote for someone other than Trump

• Only 54% of Republicans fall in the 'definitely' camp for Trump

Trump's Approval Rating In Conservative-Leaning Poll Falls To Lowest In Nearly A Year

The Trump Shutdown is having a negative effect on Donald Trump's approval ratings

The conservative-leaning Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll (Donald Trump's favorite, as a matter of fact) for Monday shows the Trumpster at his lowest approval rating in the poll in nearly a year.

From the poll:

• Trump's approval rating has dropped to 43% versus 55% who disapprove of the job he is doing

• Among those who feel 'strongly' about their opinion, 32% 'strongly approve' of the job Trump is doing, 46% 'strongly disapprove' of his performance

The president’s overall job approval rating has been dropping since his primetime address from the Oval Office last week demanding funds to build his beloved wall.

New Randy Rainbow: "There Is Nothin' Like A Wall"

Political satirist Randy Rainbow serves up his hysterical parody "There Is Nothin' Like A Wall," riffing on the hit song from the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, South Pacific.

The video in set against the backdrop of Rainbow interviewing Vice President (and "RuPaul's Drag Race season 3 finalist") Mike Pence.

Poll: Majority Of Americans Blame The Donald For #TrumpShutdown

Donald Trump

A new ABC News/Washington Post poll shows a majority of Americans say Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans are responsible for the ongoing shutdown of the federal government.

• 53% say Trump/Republicans to blame for the shutdown; 29% say it's the Democrats fault

• Only 24% of those polled believe there is a 'crisis' at the US/Mexican border

• Support for Trump's wall has increased, primarily among Republicans, to 42%; a majority 54% still oppose building the wall

• 66% oppose the idea of Donald Trump declaring a 'national emergency' to get his wall

More results from the poll here.

Trump Proudly Walked Out On Meeting With Dems, Now Begging Them To Come Back

On Wednesday, Donald Trump proudly tweeted that he had walked out of a brief meeting with Congressional leaders because he didn't get all of what he wants (his beloved border wall) in order to open the federal government.

Today, the Donald tweeted that "Democrats should come back" and work to end the Trump Shutdown.

He now says "I am in the White House waiting" for the Dems "ready to sign!"

#BiPolar

By the way - Senate Majority Leader can bring up the new bills passed in the House at any time to open the government.

The new bills should be passed and sent to Trump to sign or veto. 

#TrumpShutdown Now The Longest In U.S. History

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has finally - for real - broken an actual record.

The Trumpster can finally claim he's done something bigger and longer than anyone else.

Today, the Trump Shutdown - now 22 days long - became the longest government shutdown in the history of the nation.

BREAKING: Government shutdown enters 22nd day, becoming the longest federal closure in U.S. history.

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 12, 2019

The partial federal government shutdown is in its 22nd day, which makes it the longest gap in American government funding ever https://t.co/skLJaCPb8I

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 12, 2019

President Trump now presides over largest deficit in our history, the longest shutdown in our history, the biggest drop in International trust of America in our history, etc. Making history as opposed to making america great which is why at this point has historic low approval.

— Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) January 12, 2019

As the shutdown becomes the longest in US history, remember what Trump said Dec. 11.

Trump: If we don't get what we want ... I will shut down the government ... I will take the mantle. I will be the one to shut it down. I'm not going to blame you for it. pic.twitter.com/z1ptWR6woK

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) January 12, 2019

#TrumpShutdown Has Already Cost US Economy Over $3.6 Billion

MSNBC's Craig Melvin

According to S&P Global Ratings, in just two more weeks the Trump shutdown will cost the U.S. economy more than $6 billion.

That's more than the $5.7 billion Donald Trump is demanding for his infamous border wall.

As of today, S&P estimates the economy has lost over $3.6 billion.

The 2013 shutdown was estimated to have cost the U.S. economy in the neighborhood of $20 billion.

MSNBC's Craig Melvin breaks down how the ongoing shutdown affects many aspects of daily life in America including air travel, food safety, food stamps, and business deals requiring federal approval as well as 800,000 federal employees who won't be paid today.

News Round-Up: January 9, 2019

Some news items you might have missed:

• I'm not sure if I should caption this photo (above) from InstaHunk Joel Green in Bali "Strike a pose" (Joel) or "What are you looking at?"(his scene partner).

• Just as Colorado has sworn in Jared Polis as the first openly gay governor of a state, the Denver city council voted unanimously on Monday to ban so-called 'conversion therapy' for minors.

• Actor Timothée Chalamet has added to his growing reputation as an LGBTQ fan favorite by giving $1,000 to New York’s LGBT Community Center live on the Golden Globes red carpet.

• Thanks to the Trump shutdown, the FDA has stopped most food safety inspections. Feel safer?

• The Coast Guard Support Program has issued a five-page tip sheet on how to financially cope with a long U.S. government shutdown. The suggestions include: consider holding a garage sale, babysitting, dog-walking or serving as a “mystery shopper.”

• North Carolina just lost more revenue thanks to its anti-LGBTQ laws. Netflix has nixed the idea of shooting a new series, titled OBX, in the state. The production is expected to spend $60 million in whatever state Netflix eventually chooses.

• It may be hump day, but chill a bit with the latest single from VanJess, "Another Lover."

I like the ebb and flow of the song, as well as the video's visual change-ups from choreography to minimalist trance vibe.

Trump Walks Out Of #TrumpShutdown Meeting With Democrats

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York told reporters today that Donald Trump walked out of a meeting between him and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

According to Schumer, Trump asked Pelosi if she would agree to fund his border wall. When she said 'no,' Trump got up and walked out of the meeting saying, "Then we have nothing to discuss."

"We saw a temper tantrum because he couldn't get his way, and he just walked out of the meeting," said Schumer.

Schumer: The President just got up and walked out. He asked Speaker Pelosi, "Will you agree to my wall?" She said no. And he just got up and said, "Then we have nothing to discuss," and he just walked out. Again we saw a temper tantrum... pic.twitter.com/MwZfdkqsbS

— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) January 9, 2019

Just left a meeting with Chuck and Nancy, a total waste of time. I asked what is going to happen in 30 days if I quickly open things up, are you going to approve Border Security which includes a Wall or Steel Barrier? Nancy said, NO. I said bye-bye, nothing else works!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 9, 2019

Networks Will Give Democrats Airtime For Response To Trump's Address Tonight

The four television networks - NBC, Fox, ABC and CBS - have confirmed that they will air a Democratic response to Trump's primetime address tonight.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requested equal time following Donald Trump's address tonight to offer their rebuttal and vision for moving forward from the current government shutdown.

From The New York Times:

Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Schumer will speak from the Capitol after Mr. Trump completes his remarks from the Oval Office, which are scheduled to be broadcast live by the major television networks. The dueling addresses from opposite sides of Pennsylvania Avenue will unfold at the close of Day 18 of a government shutdown over Mr. Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion for a border wall that Democrats have steadfastly opposed.

Mr. Trump, who spent much of the first two weeks of the shutdown cloistered inside the White House saying little about it, is now using the powers of the presidency to focus public attention on his immigration message in an effort to build support for the idea of erecting a large wall on the border with Mexico. Democrats, newly in control of the House, are steering clear of talk of the wall itself, and instead are working to focus attention on the damaging impacts of the shutdown.

Trump Will Address The U.S. Tuesday Evening On Current #TrumpShutdown

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has announced he will address the country on Tuesday evening regarding the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government as well as the "Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border."

I am pleased to inform you that I will Address the Nation on the Humanitarian and National Security crisis on our Southern Border. Tuesday night at 9:00 P.M. Eastern.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 7, 2019

According to The New York Times, it's unclear which news networks will carry the address.

It was not immediately clear which outlets would carry his address. The four major broadcast networks — ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC — confirmed receiving the White House request on Monday for Mr. Trump to speak during the 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time slot, but producers had not decided whether to grant him the time. Pre-empting prime-time coverage is an expensive proposition for television executives, who have sold millions of dollars’ worth of advertising against entertainment programming.

The ongoing shutdown is now the 2nd longest in the country's history. Approximately 800,000 federal workers will not get paid this week.

Trump is demanding over $5 billion in funding for a border wall between the United States and Mexico, and has refused to sign any government funding bills until he receives those funds.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has publicly stated that the Democrats are in favor of funding technology and staffing for border security, but the president is “not going to get a wall.”

So far, CNN has agreed to air the address, but being a cable news channel it's easier for them to break from regular programming.

NBC News could let cable news outlet MSNBC air Trump's speech and leave the network's primetime lineup intact.

The Times notes that, in the past, primetime presidential addresses have been reserved for announcements of national importance like the killing of Osama bin Laden.

In related news, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says Trump will travel to the U.S. Southern border on Thursday "to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis."

President @realDonaldTrump will travel to the Southern border on Thursday to meet with those on the frontlines of the national security and humanitarian crisis. More details will be announced soon.

— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) January 7, 2019