The US Embassy in Fiji says scheduled passport and visa services in the United States, US Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue despite the partial US government shutdown.
It confirmed on it official Twitter account that this would continue despite what it termed as the lapse in appropriations.
At this time, scheduled passport and visas services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. For information on our services and operating status, visit https://t.co/BZwaPNCfoz.
— US Embassy Suva (@USEmbassySuva) December 26, 2018
In United States politics, a government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass, or the President refuses to sign legislation which allows funding for federal government operations and agencies.
The current partial shutdown of the US government occurred after the US Senate failed to break an impasse over Donald Trump’s demand for more funding to build a wall on the border with Mexico.
President Trump has insisted on $US5 billion for his project, which was a cornerstone of his campaign, but Democrats are fiercely opposed and have rejected his request.
NBC news reports more than 420,000 “essential” federal employees will work without pay until the dispute is resolved.
Another 380,000 are “furloughed”, meaning they are put on temporary leave.
