TL/DR –
The current US government shutdown is now in its 34th day, marking the longest in the nation’s history. There has been no urgency to end it, after over a month of finger-pointing and 13 Senate votes on a GOP stopgap spending bill being blocked by Democrats. The shutdown, which neither President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans, nor Democrats want to be a part of, is currently causing flight delays and leaving unpaid air traffic controllers absent, while lawmakers hope for pressure to build to reopen the government.
Government Shutdown Continues with No End in Sight
The record-breaking government shutdown shows no signs of stopping. Neither President Donald Trump, congressional Democrats, nor Republicans seem keen to break the impasse. The shutdown is now in its 34th day, on the brink of setting a record for the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
Keep up with latest updates from Congress by following WTOP Capitol Hill correspondent Mitchell Miller at Today on the Hill. Despite ongoing political bickering and 13 U.S. Senate votes on a GOP stopgap spending bill blocked by Democrats, the situation appears to be stagnant.
After returning from his Asia trip, President Trump travelled to Florida while the Senate wasn’t in session and lawmakers left on Thursday. Some encountered flight delays due to the shutdown and absence of unpaid air traffic controllers. The House, out of session since September 19, is also set to be out this week.
However, there’s speculation and hope that ongoing discussions between senators and increased financial strain due to the shutdown might compel leaders to reopen the government.
Shutdown’s End Remains Uncertain
When will the shutdown end? No one knows. The 2018-2019 shutdown during Trump’s first term lasted 34 full days, and with no breakthrough expected on Tuesday, this will be the longest shutdown on record by Wednesday. The upcoming governor elections in Virginia and New Jersey also complicate things as Democrats want to avoid appearing weak before voters go to polls.
Moreover, congressional Democrats face pressure due to the beginning of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, with people discovering how high their insurance premiums could go if ACA subsidies aren’t extended.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accuses Republicans of causing the shutdown due to their refusal to negotiate, a claim Republican leaders reject. The GOP argues that the easiest solution is for Democrats to support the non-partisan funding measure and reopen the government.
Distrust Hampers Deal to End Shutdown
The lack of trust between parties is a major obstacle to resolving the shutdown. Democrats like U.S. Senator Tim Kaine are skeptical of Republican promises to discuss key issues relative to the Affordable Care Act after the government reopens.
Kaine and many federal employees want a swift resolution to the shutdown, as articulated by the largest federal employee union, AFGE. The union urged the Senate to pass the GOP continuing resolution last week.
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