US government in shutdown after Senate fails to meet midnight agreement

As President Donald Trump marked his first year anniversary in office, the US government shutdown at Friday midnight as deep divides between Republican and Democrat senators resurfaced.

Lawmakers rushed to make a deal before the midnight deadline came into effect, after the Senate failed to agree on a stop-gap spending deal.

Republicans have blamed Democrats insistence on interim measures, including protection for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children, for killing the deal.

"Tonight, they [Democrats] put politics above our national security, military families, vulnerable children, and our country's ability to serve all Americans," said Republican spokesperson Sarah Sanders.

"We will not negotiate the status of unlawful immigrants while Democrats hold our lawful citizens hostage over their reckless demands."

Donald Trump also lashed out at Democrats on Twitter.

"Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border. Dems want a Shutdown in order to help diminish the great success of the Tax Cuts, and what they are doing for our booming economy," he wrote.

The Democrats blamed Trump and the Republicans for the impasse.

"It's almost as if you were rooting for a shutdown and now we'll have one and the blame should crash entirely on President Trump's shoulders," said Democrats Senate leader Chuck Schumer who met with the president earlier Friday.
 
The situation means the US government has effectively shut down until a new deal can be reached, although branches vital to national security and public safety will keep running.

Agencies contributed to this story.