Trump calls on Democrats to end shutdown<br /><br />US President Donald Trump on Sunday, November 2, called on Democrats to end the government shutdown telling reporters, "All they have to do is open up the country." <br />Democrats want Republicans to negotiate an extension of federal tax credits to help Americans purchase private health insurance before funding the government. <br />Republicans want the government reopened before beginning negotiations. <br />As a result of the impasse, nearly 42 million Americans will begin losing food assistance on Saturday, when funding for food stamp benefits is expected to lapse. <br />About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed since government funding ended. <br />The Trump administration has taken steps to pay troops, federal law enforcement and immigration officers. Other federal employees are working without pay. <br />The shutdown could cost the US economy between $7 billion and $14 billion, shaving up to 2% from gross domestic product in the fourth quarter due to the lapse in government spending, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. <br /><br />US NETWORK POOL / REUTERS
