TL/DR –
The US government has fallen into a shutdown. The cause is an impasse over federal funding, with Democrats and Republicans laying the blame at each other’s feet. The main point of contention is healthcare, with Democrats seeking an extension of a tax credit that aids people buying health insurance on the Obamacare marketplaces, and Republicans accusing the Democrats of wanting to provide free healthcare for undocumented immigrants, a claim the Democrats have countered as false.
The federal government shut down after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday due to disputes between Congressional Republicans and Democrats over federal funding. Both parties continue to hold their ground, with each blaming the other for the government shutdown.
Republican Rep. Jeff Crank from Colorado specified that a clean, bipartisan funding bill had been passed by the House to prevent the shutdown, and Senate Democrats were responsible for the stoppage. He was joined in this view by GOP Rep. Gabe Evans, who laid blame on Senate Democrats for rejecting the bill intended to keep the government running.
Democrats, on the other hand, blamed President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans. Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette claimed they were content to let the government shutdown and increase health care costs for citizens.
Despite attempts, a seven-week temporary funding measure failed to pass in the Senate. Democrats’ temporary government funding bill was also rejected due to included health care fixes that Republicans opposed. They accused Democrats of wanting to provide free health care for illegal immigrants, which Democrats denied, noting that their proposal did not cover undocumented immigrants.
Healthcare at the heart of the shutdown
Democrats major requirement is an extension of a tax credit that supports people purchasing health insurance on the Obamacare marketplaces. Without this, Coloradans’ insurance premiums may skyrocket.
Democrats also seek to stop Medicaid cuts included in the Republicans’ bill. Despite this, the Republicans have accused Democrats of wanting to provide free healthcare to illegal immigrants, a claim that the Democrats have denied.
Impact on the local community
In the wake of the government shutdown, Governor Jared Polis has prioritized keeping Rocky Mountain National Park open, citing its economic influence on Colorado’s rural communities. He has even suggested using state funds to maintain operations at the park.
What’s next?
This marks the third government shutdown under Trump’s administration. Previous shutdowns occurred over disputes related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and funding for Trump’s border wall. The resolution of this shutdown remains uncertain, with both parties holding firm to their stances.
Reporting contributed by Hart Van Denburg from the Great Sand Dunes.
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