Government Shutdown Looms as Democrats and Republicans Clash Over Spending
Washington is barreling toward a government shutdown, with few signs of an off-ramp as Democrats and Republicans dig in for a fight over government spending. The Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill is insisting on an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits as part of a package to fund the government. However, Republican lawmakers and the White House have dismissed the proposal, with senior officials in the Trump administration threatening to use unique legal authorities granted during a government shutdown to conduct yet more mass firings of federal workers.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) has made it clear that Democrats will not support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of everyday Americans. “We are not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the healthcare of everyday Americans, period, full stop,” Jeffries said Monday. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talk to reporters outside the White House.
(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
White House Response
Vice President JD Vance said he thought the country was “headed to a shutdown,” labeling Democratic calls for healthcare tax credits an “absurd” demand that amounts to an “excuse for shutting down the people’s government.” “You don’t use your policy disagreements as leverage to not pay our troops,” Vance said. “That’s exactly what they’re proposing out there.” 
Vice President JD Vance talks to reporters as House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune listen.
(Alex Brandon / Associated Press)
Impact of a Government Shutdown
When the government shuts down, the law requires all nonessential government services to cease, requiring most federal workers to go on furlough or work without pay. Essential services — such as national security functions and air traffic control — are not affected. The impact of a government shutdown would be significant, with many federal employees facing uncertainty about their pay and job security.
Bipartisan congressional leadership met with President Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon in a last-minute effort to avert the crisis. But neither side exited the meeting with expectations of a breakthrough. On the contrary, Republican leaders in the House told the GOP caucus to plan to return to work next week and said they would hold a news conference on Wednesday anticipating the government’s closure.
For more information on the government shutdown, visit
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