WASHINGTON–Because of the partial federal government shutdown, President Barack Obama on Thursday night cancelled an upcoming trip to Indonesia and Brunei.The White House cited two reasons: “difficulty” of foreign travel with staff on furlough because of the shut down and his “determination” to stay home and press the case the Republicans should “allow a vote to reopen the government.”
Below, from the White House…
Statement by the Press Secretary on Cancellation of the President’s Trip to Asia
Due to the government shut-down, President Obama’s travel to Indonesia and Brunei has been cancelled. The President made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government. Secretary Kerry will lead delegations to both countries in place of the President.
The cancellation of this trip is another consequence of the House Republicans forcing a shutdown of the government. This completely avoidable shutdown is setting back our ability to create jobs through promotion of U.S. exports and advance U.S. leadership and interests in the largest emerging region in the world. The President looks forward to continuing his work with our allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific and to returning to the region at a later date.
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