US Embassy In Israel Stays Open Despite Government Shutdown
by JNS.org
JNS.org – Part of the US government is closed after Congress was unable to pass a budget on Friday over the funding for the government that was not provided last summer.
This comes as there was not at least nine Democrats to meet the 60-vote threshold to avoid a Senate filibuster and pass a $5 billion House bill for US President Donald Trump’s desired border wall.
But US embassies, including the one in Jerusalem, will remain open.
“Essential personnel” will “continue to provide emergency services, as well as routine services to American citizens,” State Department spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters on Tuesday.
This includes “passport and consular services, visa services [and] assisting American citizens overseas.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced on Friday that the upper chamber will meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss the situation.