Copyright WEAU
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The government shutdown is on track to be the longest ever in history after lawmakers returned to Washington with no clear path to end it. The shutdown will surpass the previous 2019 record of 35 days on Tuesday night. And lawmakers do not appear likely to end the stalemate before then. Throughout the day on Monday, both Republicans and Democratic congressional leaders said say they will change their positions. “Republicans are refusing to accept the Democrats outrageous demands,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). “We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of the American people,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (D-NY). The Republican and Democratic-backed bills that would reopen the government remain stuck in the Senate. Senators spoke on the Senate floor about the worsening impacts of the shutdown on everyday Americans. “And after five weeks, Mr. President, the victims of the Democrat’s shutdown are starting to pile up,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD). “Military families have turned to food banks and significant numbers, and they’re not the only ones. Food banks in this area and around the country have seen an influx of federal workers who are missing paychecks due to the shutdown, and things are set to get much worse, with SNAP running on limited emergency funds.” The sticking point for Democrats remains unchanged - with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer saying a negotiation needs on expiring health insurance subsidies needs to happen to reopen the government. “Democrats have been very clear from the start we need to lower people’s health care costs. We need to reopen the government. We need to extend the ACA premium credits,” he said. President Donald Trump also continued to blame Democrats for the shutdown on Sunday night and also again called for the end of the filibuster. “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER, NOT JUST FOR THE SHUTDOWN, BUT FOR EVERYTHING ELSE,” he wrote on Truth Social.
