As the U.S. government shutdown entered its third day, President Donald Trump announced that he and his budget director would identify which “Democrat Agencies” might face cuts. Trump suggested that Republicans should take advantage of this situation to eliminate inefficiencies and did not indicate any willingness to make concessions regarding healthcare insurance subsidies, which Democrats have sought to include in funding legislation.
On Capitol Hill, both Republican and Democratic representatives continued to assign blame to one another for the impasse. Hundreds of thousands of federal employees are currently on unpaid leave, while others are working without pay. Some federal facilities have closed to the public, although attractions like the Statue of Liberty remain open.
Analysts anticipate that neither side will make significant compromises without increased pressure from the public, who have so far not felt the full impact of the shutdown. The role of Russell Vought, director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, will be critical in determining which government activities are halted and how federal agencies will manage furloughs. Notably, infrastructure funding for Democratic states, including $18 billion for New York, has already been paused.
In a series of press conferences, House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Democrats, labeling it a “Democrat shutdown” and refused to negotiate on including healthcare subsidies in funding discussions. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries argued that Republicans are neglecting the healthcare needs of Americans.
Polling indicates that public opinion is divided along party lines regarding responsibility for the shutdown, with many blaming the opposing party and suggesting that both sides may ultimately share the blame. The implications for everyday Americans may drive pressure on Congress to reach an agreement, particularly as federal services begin to slow down.
Currently, approximately 750,000 federal workers are anticipated to be affected, with essential personnel required to continue working without pay, including law enforcement and air traffic controllers. While some tourist attractions in Washington and New York have closed, others, like the Statue of Liberty, remain available to visitors.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg201rnw2zo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss