By Nik Popli

Copyright time

In a press conference after the vote, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters that Republicans are “feeling the heat” on ACA subsidies and that he predicts Americans “will demand” action in the coming days.

The shutdown could have a dramatic impact on the U.S. economy. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on Tuesday estimated that a shutdown could furlough roughly 750,000 federal workers each day, depriving them of about $400 million in wages daily. Employees deemed essential, such as those in national security, law enforcement and air traffic control, would be required to report to work without pay until funding resumes. Past shutdowns have led to closed national parks, slowed passport processing, delayed small-business loans, and disruptions in food safety inspections. Even brief closures have cost the economy billions of dollars.

Trump has fueled additional uncertainty by suggesting that his administration could use the shutdown to impose permanent cuts to the federal workforce and social programs. “They’re taking a risk by having a shutdown,” he told reporters in the Oval Office on Tuesday. “Because of the shutdown, we can do things medically and other ways, including benefits. We can cut large numbers of people.” His remarks contradicted assurances from agency officials that mass firings were not permitted under law. Leaders at several agencies have sought to reassure their employees that layoffs would not take place.