The United States government shutdown began at midnight on October 1. Now, as it begins its seventh week, it stands as the longest shutdown in the nation’s history. This historic government shutdown has thrown countless federal initiatives into turmoil, affecting the lives of millions of Americans who depend on federal assistance. So lawmakers are definitely leaning into the problem. Meanwhile, the Senate is heading into a second week of an effort to pass a Republican alternative to restore funding for the core functions of government.
With Republicans firmly in control of both chambers of Congress, they have set themselves an incredibly high barrier as a threshold to passing any spending legislation. Bipartisan cooperation The Senate will likely need bipartisan support to move any funding proposals through the chamber. After all, they need their own legislation to pass a high 60-vote threshold. On the other side, Democrats are standing firm on their insistence on extending healthcare subsidies, adding even more poison pills to negotiations.
This major push for funding comes against a backdrop of continuing rising party tensions, especially within the GOP. Democrats are standing tooth and nail against the Republican proposals. They have been firm that any spending bill include an extension of advanceable tax credits to reduce premiums for people signed up for Affordable Care Act health plans. These credits, which were enacted during the Biden administration, are scheduled to expire at the end of 2023. Without an extension, people signed up for these plans will have their expenses increase by more than a quarter—an average of 26%. This estimate is based on projections from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
In an interesting turn of events, former President Donald Trump has told Republican senators that the current shutdown is “bad for Republicans.” This sentiment echoes a broader concern seen throughout the party of fears over public perception and accountability with regards to the damage from the shutdown.
Senator John Thune attributed the crisis to Democratic actions, stating, “Democrats instigated this shutdown by rejecting a clean, non-partisan funding resolution.” Thune’s comments illustrate the chasm of difference between lawmakers and the challenges that lie ahead in forging agreement.
At the same time, Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, was claiming that the political tide was turning to favor Democrats. He stated, “Americans plagued by high costs fired a political torpedo this week at Donald Trump and Republicans.” Democrats on the hot seat Democrats are understandably under pressure from their constituents here. Voters are quite understandably fed up with being priced out of basic healthcare and other necessities.
It’s do or die time for both sides as they look to pivot on their ongoing big spending political fight. We applaud the Republican proposal making its way through Congress right now, which excludes all partisan policy mandates. Still, Democrats are having a hard time coalescing around a deal. Thune remarked, “Republicans weren’t asking them to swallow a bunch of new conservative policies. There isn’t a single partisan policy in the bill. And yet Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to take yes for an answer.”
As legislators get ready to vote, it is unknown whether the kind of bipartisan collaboration seen last week will continue on with the growing tension. This will be a consequential vote. It would do far more than either prolong the government shutdown or bring critical government services back online for the millions of affected Americans.