Lack of lawmaker’s agreement threatens US government shutdown
On Tuesday, Washington prepared for an imminent government shutdown, with both Republicans and Democrats seemingly unable to come to an agreement that would extend funding beyond the midnight deadline. The Senate, under Republican control, is anticipated to cast a vote on a temporary spending bill that has previously failed, and there are no indications that a second vote will yield a different outcome. Democrats aim to amend the bill to prolong health benefits for millions of Americans set to expire at the year’s end. Republicans assert that they need to address that issue independently. Federal agencies have released comprehensive plans that would shutter offices engaged in scientific research, customer service, and other functions not classified as “essential,” resulting in the dismissal of thousands of employees if Congress fails to reach an agreement before funding runs out at midnight.
Airlines cautioned that a shutdown could impede flight operations, while the Labor Department announced it would refrain from releasing its monthly unemployment report, a key indicator of economic well-being. Democrats aimed to create a divide between US President Donald Trump and his Republican counterparts in Congress, asserting that the president expressed interest in prolonging a tax break that reduces health costs for 24 million Americans during a White House meeting on Monday. “It’s in the president’s hands whether we avoid a shutdown,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer stated. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that Democrats had put forth some “reasonable” ideas during the meeting, but emphasized that they should not resort to threatening a government shutdown to reach their goals. Trump himself followed up late Monday by posting a deepfake video that showcased manipulated images of Schumer seemingly criticizing Democrats, while top House of Representatives Democrat Hakeem Jeffries stood beside him, with a crudely drawn sombrero and mustache superimposed over his face. “Bigotry will get you nowhere.” Cancel the Cuts. Reduce the Expenses. “Save Healthcare,” Jeffries stated in a social media post in response. “We are NOT backing down.”
Any last-minute agreement would also require approval from the Republican-controlled House, which is not scheduled to convene until Wednesday, after funding has expired. Showdowns related to the budget have become a regular occurrence in Washington, reflecting the growing dysfunction in the nation’s politics, although they are frequently settled at the last possible moment. The government experienced its last shutdown for 35 days in 2018 and 2019, stemming from a disagreement regarding immigration during Trump’s first term. The matter at hand involves $1.7 trillion allocated for agency operations, representing approximately one-quarter of the government’s overall $7 trillion budget. A significant portion is allocated to health and retirement programs, as well as interest payments on the escalating $37.5 trillion debt. Trump’s readiness to overlook spending laws enacted by Congress has introduced additional uncertainty this time, and he has warned of extending his purge of the federal workforce should Congress permit a government shutdown. In the spring, he directed federal agencies to contemplate the dismissal of “nonessential” employees who typically would be instructed not to work during a shutdown.
“We may do a lot, and that’s only because of the Democrats,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday morning. Trump has also declined to allocate billions of dollars sanctioned by Congress, leading some Democrats to ponder the rationale behind supporting any spending legislation whatsoever. Despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress, a minimum of seven Democratic votes is required to advance legislation through the Senate. In addition to the extended health subsidies, Democrats have also aimed to guarantee that Trump will not have the ability to reverse those changes once they are enacted into law. Democrats have also aimed to restore Trump’s cuts to public broadcasting and other programs, although they seemed to abandon those demands on Monday. With power in Washington out of reach, Democrats face mounting pressure from their discontented supporters to achieve a significant victory before the 2026 midterm elections, which will be crucial in determining control of Congress during the last two years of Trump’s presidency. The healthcare initiative has provided them with an opportunity to come together on a matter that strikes a chord with the electorate.
