Copyright tribuneonlineng
The ongoing federal government shutdown has become the longest in United States history, surpassing the 34-day record set during President Donald Trump’s first term, as bipartisan negotiations drag on in Congress with little progress toward reopening government agencies. The shutdown, which began October 1, has entered its 35th day, crippling public services, halting paychecks for federal employees, and threatening to shave at least $7 billion off the nation’s annual economic output, according to Congress’s nonpartisan budget office. The deadlock stems from a partisan standoff over health care subsidies. Democrats have vowed not to approve funding until Trump and Republicans agree to extend Covid-era health insurance subsidies, while GOP leaders insist they will not negotiate until Democrats vote to reopen the government. In the absence of congressional action, Trump and White House budget director Russell Vought have redirected federal funds to pay troops and law enforcement, a move lawmakers say violates spending laws while reportedly moving to dismiss thousands of federal workers from what the president called “Democrat agencies.” The shutdown’s ripple effects have been severe. More than 40 million Americans relying on SNAP food assistance face delayed or reduced benefits. Air traffic controllers and airport security staff are working without pay, leading to flight delays nationwide. Agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Small Business Administration have furloughed workers, while national parks and Smithsonian museums remain closed. Tempers have flared in Congress as both parties trade blame. Republicans accuse Democrats of holding the government “hostage,” while Democrats say the GOP’s refusal to compromise is deepening Americans’ pain. “There’s no good choice here,” said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut). “The immoral, corrupt budget hurts Americans if Democrats sign on to it, and a shutdown hurts Americans. Republicans have created this entire problem.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voiced frustration with stalled talks, saying, “We talk and then we sputter… we’re acting as if nothing has changed.” Trump, meanwhile, urged his party to eliminate the Senate filibuster which allows the minority to block bills and “end the ridiculous shutdown immediately.” In a social media post, he wrote, “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER NOW PASS EVERY WONDERFUL REPUBLICAN POLICY THAT WE HAVE DREAMT OF.” While some Senate Democrats are considering a compromise that combines several appropriations bills with a temporary funding extension, progressives are resisting any deal that does not guarantee an extension of health care subsidies. Public opinion polls show most Americans blame Trump and congressional Republicans for the impasse. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 46% of independents and 80% of Democrats hold the GOP responsible, compared with 23% of independents who blame Democrats. The political standoff has also eroded trust between branches of government. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) said, “Our leadership is not even speaking to each other… What’s changed is trust.” Trump’s repeated moves to block or redirect congressionally approved spending have further strained relations. The Government Accountability Office Congress’s watchdog has ruled multiple times that the president’s actions amount to illegal impoundment, or withholding funds that Congress has already appropriated. With no clear path forward and mounting public frustration, the shutdown has left millions of Americans in limbo and Washington’s leaders still at odds over how to end it. [THE WASHINGTON POST] ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
