Government Shutdown Looms as Funding Dispute Deepens
A US government shutdown is increasingly likely after Democrats refused to support a Republican funding plan, escalating a standoff over federal spending and key policy priorities. The republican proposal includes provisions expected to reach $1 trillion in cuts, alongside alterations to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
These changes are projected to result in approximately 10 million people losing healthcare coverage due to cuts to Medicaid and modifications to the ACA.Furthermore, without an extension of current tax credits for health insurance premiums, around 20 million individuals face rising healthcare costs.
Senator John Thune has indicated a willingness to negotiate extending the ACA credits, but insists that new government funding must be approved before any such negotiations begin.
Democratic leadership remains firm in its opposition, though cracks are beginning to appear within the party. Three Democratic senators voted in favor of the Republican proposal on Tuesday evening, a notable increase from the two who supported it during an earlier vote this month.
Senator John Barrasso, the Senate Republican whip, highlighted this division, stating, “The cracks in the Democrats are already showing.”
The dissenting Democrats cited concerns about the potential actions of the Trump administration during a shutdown. Federal law grants agencies and departments some discretion in determining essential operations when funding lapses.
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada explained her vote, saying, “I cannot support a costly shutdown that would hurt Nevada families and hand even more power to this reckless administration.”
Angus King, an independent senator who caucuses with the Democrats, described the vote as “one of the most challenging” of his career, adding, “the paradox is by shutting the government we’re actually giving Donald Trump more power, and that was why I voted yes.”
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who also voted for the Republican bill in its initial consideration a week and a half ago, reiterated his rationale: “my vote was for our country over my party. Together, we must find a better way forward.”
Historically,the party initiating a government shutdown has rarely achieved its objectives. However, public opinion regarding the Democrats’ strategy is divided.
A New York Times/Siena poll conducted last week revealed that only 27% of respondents believe the Democrats should shut down the government, while 65% disagree. Within the Democratic party itself, the split was 47% in favor of a shutdown and 43% against. A majority (59%) of independents also oppose a shutdown.
A Marist poll released Tuesday showed 38% of voters would blame congressional Republicans for a shutdown, 27% would blame Democrats, and 31% would assign blame to both parties.
Senator Ted Cruz, a key figure in the 2013 government shutdown aimed at defunding the ACA, dismissed the Democrats’ threat as a “temper tantrum” destined to fail.
“They’re trying to show … that they hate Trump,” Cruz stated to reporters. “It will end inevitably in capitulation. At some point they’re going to turn the lights on again, but first they have to rage into the night.”
