Top News
Trump calls for shutdown, if his immigration plan makes no headway
Washington, Feb 7 (IANS) US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he “would love” to force a partial government shutdown due to lack of funding if congressional Democrats do not accept the conditions he has set for reforming the country’s immigration system.
“If we don’t change the legislation, if we don’t get rid of these loopholes where killers are allowed to come into our country and continue to kill … if we don’t change it, let’s have a shutdown,” Trump said during a meeting at the White House about gang violence, including the violent Mara Salvatrucha gang, Efe reported.
“I’d love to see a shutdown if we don’t get this stuff taken care of,” the president added, going on to say “If we have to shut it down because the Democrats don’t want safety – and unrelated but still related, they don’t want to take care of our military – then shut it down. We’ll go with another shutdown.”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Trump was not lobbying for a shutdown.
“We are not advocating for the shutdown,” she said upon being asked about Trump’s remarks, going on to blame congressional Democrats for any such problem, saying that it would be “the fault of the Democrats not being willing to do their jobs.”
However, she said that although “the president wants a long-term deal and he wants to get a deal on immigration,” if Democratic lawmakers do not cooperate in approving a budget, Trump would welcome a political fight involving a shutdown.
The federal government could virtually grind to a halt once again at midnight on Thursday if Republican and Democratic lawmakers cannot agree on a budget.
Two weeks ago, Democrats rejected the administration’s budget because it did not include a solution for the so-called Dreamers, young undocumented migrants brought to the US as children.
The minority party agreed to reopen the government until Feb. 8 in exchange for debating in Congress an immigration plan to aid the Dreamers.
In late January, Trump proposed to Congress an immigration reform package creating a path to citizenship for 1.8 million young undocumented migrants in exchange for $25 billion to build a wall along the border with Mexico and strengthen border security, as well as making a series of changes to the country’s legal immigration system.
But the President’s proposal has received a cold reception from Democrats and he has reiterated that he will not accept any plan that does not include funds for the wall and address his other priorities.
–IANS
ahm/
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.