The U.S. is now under its longest government shutdown at day 36. Federal employees have gone without pay and essential services have stopped. For millions of Americans, the effects are felt every day.
The shutdown began on October 1, following a failure of Congress to have new funding agreement. With it passing the previous record of 35 days set in 2019, public frustration is sharply rising. Both Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other, while everyday citizens endure increasing struggles.
Trump Ratchets up the Pressure
President Trump intensified the pressure on the Democrats to pass a Republican-supported short-term funding bill for the government. He threatened to suspend food assistance for 42 million Americans who utilize food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Trump posted on and signed a post on Truth social “Food stamp payments will be sent if the Radical Left Democrats open up government.” This statement also contradicts an existing federal court order that stipulates partial payments.
A few hours later, White House Press Secretary for Karoline Leavitt would clarify that limited SNAP dollars for November will still be available. However, the statement shows the willingness of the administration to exert pressure on low-income individuals and their families. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/government-shutdown-longest-history/story?id=127179783
Transportation and Airspace Mayhem is On the Horizon
The shutdown has impacted air travel in the U.S., heightening anxieties of flight cancellations on a large scale. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that parts of airspace may shut down due to no employees being paid.
There are still roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and thousands of TSA agents currently working without pay, and Duffy cautioned that fatigue may create various types of safety challenges. He asked Congress to act on the stalemate as soon as they can.
Federal Workers and Families Are Harmed
Hundreds of thousands of federal employees have not received multiple paychecks. The government has still not confirmed that those workers will get back pay, even though it is required by law that they do from 2019.
Simultaneously, 1 of every 8 Americans, which includes 16 million children, gets SNAP benefits. If federal employees do not get paid, SNAP payments will also be delayed, increasing food insecurity for many, especially if the shutdown lasts through November.
Advocacy organizations stated that families stress over paying for essentials is already happening. Federal workers are also protesting, and some commented on how financial stress during this historic shutdown will just make everything worse.
Political Blame Game Escalates
The White House targets these Democrats as having chosen not to extend funding. “The Democrats’ obstructionism will set a record for the longest government shutdown,” Leavitt stated.
Vice versa, the Democrats blame – and accuse – Trump of not cooperating/engaging. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer indicated that, “The responsibility of this shutdown is Trump’s.” Representative Hakeem Jeffries also noted that Trump refused to release funds for SNAP unlawfully.
Republican Fatigue Kicks In
Many Democrats are feeling fatigue as they grapple with a hardliner. Senator John Thune stated that “shutdowns are stupid” and that “These things wound up no one.”
Because of various reasons, the moderate Republicans have indicated that “off ramp” may be coming but as of yet there has been no deal. The Senate failed for the 14th – or more – time recently in terms of pass a short-term or, continuing, funding measure, and each instance increases tensions
Uncertain Way Forward
The House-passed measure would keep the government open only until November 21, a deadline that is starting to feel somewhat meaningless. Both chambers of congress will need to pass a new piece of legislation to end the shutdown.
Democrats have insisted from the get-go that they would not give in without a compromise on healthcare. Republicans are hoping that continue public pressure will force a compromise. Families, federal employees and travelers remain tied to the political stalemate.
The implications of a shutdown exposes just how political deadlock can create real hardships in the lives of Amrikans. As long as these events are unresolved effects on economic and social well-being will exacerbate.
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