Trump administration begins shutdown preparations

The Trump administration is preparing for the possibility of a government shutdown, even though the president and his staff believe one is unlikely to occur. 

“I think we’re in good shape,” President Trump said when asked about the possibility of a shutdown.

The government will shut down midnight on April 28 if Congress cannot agree on a spending bill. 

{mosads}The measure has hit several snags over White House demands to include funding for Trump’s proposed border wall and a debate over money for an ObamaCare insurer subsidy program. 

But lawmakers can stave off a shutdown if they pass a short-term spending measure to keep the government open while negotiations continue over a broader funding deal. 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has begun to coordinate with government agencies to plan for a possible shutdown. 

“While we do not expect a lapse, prudence and common sense require routine assessments will be made,” OMB Director Mick Mulvaney said in a statement. 

The office set up a phone call to go over the agencies’ shutdown plans, which could include steps such as furloughs for federal workers. 

The OMB said the plans were reviewed ahead of a possible shutdown last December and are unlikely to be revised.