The US government shutdown commenced on Wednesday following a stalemate between congressional Democrats and Republicans over federal funding. Congressional Democrats demanded a series of concessions focused on healthcare in exchange for supporting a Republican plan to extend funding for various government departments. The GOP, which holds a majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, refused to negotiate, leading to a legislative impasse that culminated just before midnight when the Senate failed to advance either party's funding proposals.
This shutdown marks the first since the extensive 35-day closure that began in December 2018, which extended into the new year during Donald Trump’s initial term. The current shutdown arrives at a precarious time for Democrats, who are striving to regain voter confidence after Trump’s re-election last year relegated them to a minority status in Congress. As tensions escalated, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer remarked, “Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown, rejecting bipartisan talks, pushing a partisan bill and risking America’s healthcare.”
Last month, House Republicans passed a funding bill aimed at keeping the government operational until November 21. However, this proposal requires some Democratic support to overcome the 60-vote threshold necessary for Senate approval. Unfortunately, the bill failed to garner the required backing during votes held late Tuesday. Additionally, Republicans dismissed a Democratic proposal aimed at continuing funding through October while incorporating various policy changes.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune criticized the Democrats, stating, “Far-left interest groups and far-left Democrat members wanted to showdown with the president, and so Senate Democrats have sacrificed the American people to Democrats’ partisan interests.” In response, Senate Republicans have scheduled another round of votes on both funding bills for Wednesday morning, hoping to sway Democrats to reconsider their stance.
The impending government shutdown has prompted the White House to announce plans to implement mass layoffs of federal workers if funding lapses. Donald Trump warned, “When you shut it down, you have to do layoffs, so we’d be laying off a lot of people,” adding that many of those affected would be Democrats. Following the failed votes, Russ Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, issued a letter attributing the shutdown to “Democrats’ insane policy demands,” leaving the duration of the shutdown uncertain.
Democrats have made it clear that they seek an extension of premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, which are set to expire at the end of the year. They also aim to reverse Republican cuts to Medicaid and public media outlets while preventing Trump’s potential use of a “pocket rescission” to further diminish foreign aid. The total financial impact of these demands is projected to reach $1 trillion, with approximately 10 million individuals facing potential loss of healthcare due to Medicaid reductions and changes to the ACA. Without an extension of the tax credits, health insurance costs are anticipated to rise for about 20 million people.
While Thune expressed a willingness to negotiate over extending ACA credits, he emphasized the necessity of new government funding being approved first. Despite Democratic leaders' unwavering stance, signs of discontent have surfaced within their ranks. Three members of the Democratic caucus sided with the Republican funding proposal on Tuesday evening, marking an increase in defections compared to earlier this month. “The cracks in the Democrats are already showing,” remarked Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso.
Some Democrats who broke rank cited concerns over the actions of the Trump administration in the event of a shutdown. “I cannot support a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration,” stated Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto. Similarly, Angus King, an independent senator who caucuses with the Democrats, termed the vote “one of the most difficult” of his Senate career, noting that a shutdown would inadvertently empower Trump.
The historical trend suggests that the party instigating a shutdown often fails to achieve its goals. Polls indicate mixed reactions from the public regarding the Democrats' strategy. A recent New York Times/Siena poll found that only 27% of respondents supported a government shutdown led by the Democrats, while 65% opposed it. Among Democrats, opinions were split, with 47% favoring a shutdown and 43% against it. A Marist poll released on Tuesday revealed that 38% of voters would place the blame on congressional Republicans for a shutdown, while 27% would attribute it to the Democrats and 31% would blame both parties.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz, known for his role in the 2013 shutdown aimed at defunding the ACA, characterized the Democrats’ threat of a shutdown as a mere “temper tantrum” that would ultimately lead to failure. “They’re trying to show … that they hate Trump,” Cruz told reporters. “It will end inevitably in capitulation. At some point they’re going to turn the lights on again, but first they have to rage into the night.”
