The ongoing US government shutdown is expected to continue into the following week as senators gear up for their fourth vote on a funding proposal put forth by the Republicans, supported by President Donald Trump. Federal agencies have been operating without funding since Wednesday, resulting in various public services being severely impacted due to stalled negotiations in Congress regarding funding solutions.
Senate leaders do not have plans to convene over the weekend, making the upcoming vote on a short-term funding measure the final opportunity for a potential resolution in a crisis that many experts worry may persist. Prior to the Senate’s deliberations, the Trump administration halted the release of a significant employment report, causing uncertainty about the state of the country’s economy.
This move adds to a series of postponed economic data releases during the week, depriving policymakers and business leaders of crucial information for decision-making. The primary issue at the heart of the congressional deadlock is the Democrats’ insistence on extending health care subsidies set to expire, which could lead to increased costs for millions of low-income individuals.
Despite the Republicans’ majority in both houses of Congress and the presidency, they have not proposed any solutions to address this pressing matter. Democrats are leveraging their stance by withholding support for the Republicans’ funding proposals. Amidst pessimism regarding a swift resolution, Republicans are optimistic that repeated unsuccessful votes may prompt some moderate Democrats to break ranks.
Republican Senate leader John Thune hinted at potential negotiations with his Democratic counterpart Chuck Schumer to find common ground. Thune highlighted the pressure Schumer faces from progressive factions within his party to challenge President Trump, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation to end the impasse.
Senate Democrats are set to strategize during their caucus lunch ahead of the vote, while House Republicans have scheduled a meeting with all members on Saturday. Approximately 750,000 government employees are at risk of being furloughed, which entails mandatory leave with eventual back pay, across various agencies as the funding crisis extends into the next week.
The looming threat of permanent job cuts, funding reductions, and benefit slashes by President Trump adds further complexity to the negotiations, intensifying pressure on the Democrats to reach a resolution.