WASHINGTON (AP) — Pressure to end second-longest federal government shutdown The move takes on new urgency this week as millions of Americans face the possibility of losing food assistance, more federal workers are without their first full paycheck and repeated delays at airports hurt travel plans.
The burden on lawmakers to break the impasse was heightened after the nation’s largest federal employee union called on Congress to immediately pass funding legislation to ensure workers receive full pay. Everett Kelly, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said both political parties have made their case.
“It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. There is no room for half-measures or gamesmanship,” Kelly said.
Still, Democratic senators, including those representing states with large numbers of federal employees, appear unwilling to back down. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said he was standing up for the White House’s promise to prevent the administration from further mass layoffs of workers. Democrats also want Congress to: Extend subsidies to health plans Pursuant to the Affordable Care Act.
“We need to come to an agreement with Donald Trump,” Kaine said.
But the longer the shutdown lasts, the more painful it becomes. Soon, as of Tuesday, the shutdown will last a full four weeks, and millions of Americans will experience its hardships firsthand.
The impact of the shutdown is expected to expand dramatically
The nation’s 1.3 million active-duty military members are at risk. missed a paycheck on friday. Earlier this month, the Trump administration secured their salaries by directing $8 billion from the Military Research and Development Fund toward their salaries. But it’s unclear whether the Trump administration is willing or able to transfer funds again.
More importantly, the Trump administration says the funding will run out on Friday. food assistance program 42 million Americans rely on it to cover their grocery bills. The administration has refused to use more than $5 billion in emergency funds to keep benefits flowing through November. It also says that if states temporarily cover the cost of next month’s benefits, no refunds will be given.
The USDA says the reserve fund is intended to help respond to emergencies such as natural disasters. Democrats argue the decision regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, goes against the department’s previous guidance on operating during shutdowns.
“The administration is making a deliberate choice not to fund SNAP this weekend,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York. “There is an emergency fund. The government is simply choosing not to use it.”
Can lawmakers find a solution?
On Capitol Hill, Congressional leaders highlighted the challenges many Americans are facing, largely as a result of the government shutdown. But there was no move towards negotiations as they sought to place responsibility on the other side of the political aisle.
“Government workers and all other Americans affected by this government shutdown are now pawns in the Democratic Party’s political game,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (D).
the house passed On September 19, a short-term continuing resolution was passed to continue funding federal agencies. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has since adjourned the House, saying the solution is for Democrats to simply accept the bill.
But the Senate consistently falls short of the 60 votes needed to advance the spending measure. Democrats insist that the government-funding bill also address health care costs, the soaring health insurance premiums that millions of Americans will face next year under plans offered through the Affordable Care Act’s marketplaces.
Medical insurance window shopping delayed
The enrollment period for ACA health insurance begins Saturday. For the past few years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed Americans to preview their health insurance options about a week before open enrollment.
As of Monday, healthcare.gov It looks like you’re seeing health insurance plans and estimated prices for 2025 instead of next year’s options. CMS was temporarily expected bring back all employees I was furloughed during the shutdown to manage the ACA open enrollment period.
Twenty-eight senators, most of them Democrats, signed a letter asking the Trump administration to allow ACA enrollees to start previewing next year’s health insurance options on marketplace websites.
Republicans insist there will be no negotiations on health care until the government reopens.
Republican Sen. David McCormick said he is “particularly concerned about rising insurance premiums for working families.” “So we’re going to have that conversation, but we’re not going to have that conversation until the government opens.”
Congressional leaders dig deeper
Schumer said Republicans would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to prevent health care costs from skyrocketing. He said the average American doesn’t want to pay an extra $20,000 a year for health insurance.
“And we as Democrats want to resolve this crisis immediately,” Schumer said. “So reducing health care costs is not an outlandish demand.”
Vice President J.D. Vance was scheduled to visit the Republican luncheon at the Capitol on Tuesday. However, with President Donald Trump touring three Asian countries and Congressional leaders also weighing in, a quick agreement is unlikely.
Meanwhile, some rank-and-file members urged lawmakers to consider the impact of the standoff on the livelihoods of federal employees and Capitol Police officers who have not been paid for weeks.
“We have to come together, and that means we have to talk to each other,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in a floor speech, imploring leaders to stop focusing on who wins political battles.
“What we’re losing right now is the American people,” she said.
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Associated Press writers Mary Claire Jalonick in Washington and Mark Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed to this report.
