Through that, US President Donald Trump recently declared that he and his budget director, Russell Vought, would decide which “Democrat Agencies” to eliminate. This decision is particularly poignant as the government shutdown approaches its third day. The recent government shutdown has furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees. Unfortunately, almost all of them are currently doing so without compensation.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), approximately 750,000 federal employees could be placed on unpaid leave. This comes at a time when the gridlock between GOP and Democratic lawmakers continues to erode. With the shutdown well underway, scores of federally-operated attractions have dimmed their lights to guests. However, many, such as the beloved Statue of Liberty, are still open thanks to the federal government’s insistence on leadership in this matter.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of the Interior, “thanks to the leadership of President Donald J Trump,” certain sites will still welcome tourists despite the ongoing freeze on federal operations.
As the shutdown drags on, over 200,000 federal law enforcement officers are left hanging, with law enforcement officers unable to get consistent and timely paychecks. Trump has gone even harder in the paint, seeking to pause or draw billions in appropriated funding back from states that happen to be led by Democrats. This features an $18 billion (£13.4 billion) earmark for large-scale infrastructure projects in New York.
Republicans are currently pushing for one of those funding bills without any red meat riders attached. This week, Democrats have been aiming to unconditionally renew enhanced health insurance subsidies for low-income people. These economic lifelines are currently scheduled to go away on Dec. 31. Today’s landscape in Congress reveals an unprecedented chasm. House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump have been loud advocates for a standalone funding bill.
Trump now expects ordinary Americans to put the squeeze on Congress to fix this shutdown. He contends that pressure will only increase once citizens begin to feel the tangible impacts of the stalemate in their everyday lives. Until then, he believes the urgency will be low. AGreatDemocraticWave Analysts predict that only an immense change in the mood of the public would bring either party to the table on compromises.
Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist University Institute for Public Opinion, indicated that recent polling shows Americans are largely split down party lines regarding accountability for the shutdown. He noted, “Both of the parties have mastered the finger-pointing, and all we’re left with is a growing number of people think the country is headed in the wrong direction.”
The political landscape remains contentious. In effect, Republicans need just eight Democratic senators to cooperate to push their initiatives through, and Democrats need 13 Republican votes to carry their proposals. Recent efforts in the Senate have seen only three Democrats join Republicans during a failed vote on Wednesday, underscoring the challenges ahead.
Even worse, federal attractions in Washington and New York have shuttered their doors to the world. As a consequence, millions of visitors are being denied admission to cultural attractions like museums and historic sites, including Federal Hall in Manhattan. The persistent standstill in multiple key areas has further fueled frustration among the general public and employees of federal agencies alike.