Schumer slams Trump for ‘skipping town’ on Asia trip during shutdown

Senate Minority Leader Chuck SchumerDN.Y., on Friday accused President Donald Trump of “skipping town” for a trip to Asia during the ongoing government shutdown.

Trump left for Asia on Friday night for a week-long trip that included stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. Republicans and Democrats are divided over negotiations to end the shutdown that began earlier this month, with each side blaming the other as the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.

“In the middle The longest complete government shutdown “President Trump’s priorities have been seriously misplaced — a crisis of his own — in American history,” Schumer said in a statement.

Senate Democrats Holding Government ‘Hostage’ With Shutdown, Schumer, Trump Say: ‘We Will Not Be Abandoned’

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused President Donald Trump of “skipping town” for a trip to Asia during the ongoing government shutdown. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)

“As Americans struggle to make ends meet, federal workers go without pay and millions of families face rising health care costs, the president is leaving the country,” he added.

Schumer added: “America is shutting down and the president is leaving town.”

The senator said Democrats have tried to meet with Trump, but the president is “abandoning” his responsibilities.

“Democrats have repeatedly asked President Trump to meet with us to negotiate a bipartisan deal on the health care crisis and find a way to reopen the government. But instead of doing his job, President Trump is giving up,” Schumer said.

Republicans and Democrats are divided over negotiations to end the shutdown that began earlier this month. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Schumer was also called GOP lawmaker Working on a path to reach an agreement in Congress to end the shutdown.

“With the president out of the country, the onus falls squarely on Republicans in Congress — to come to the table, do their jobs and reopen the government and make a deal that protects the American people from a health care disaster,” he said.

“Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do — not a leader who shirks responsibility when they need it most,” added the top Senate Democrat.

Bernie Sanders clashed with town hall attendees over Schumer’s leadership during the shutdown

President Donald Trump embarks on a tour of Asia that will include stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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While in Asia, Trump is expected to meet with regional allies about trade, including a trade war with China, as well as Beijing’s tightening of export controls on rare-earth minerals vital to some technologies.

The President is also expected to address security in the region and reaffirm US commitment Supporting his allies.