The US is on the brink of its first shutdown in six years, as Congress remains deadlocked ahead of the Tuesday deadline to keep federal agencies open.
Legislation to finance the government through November 21 is being pushed by the Republican majority in Congress, but Democrats have refused to support it unless it includes a number of healthcare-related concessions.
With vice president JD Vance saying,
“I think we’re headed into a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing.”
Donald Trump called a meeting of the legislative leaders of the two parties on Monday night, but there was no indication of a breakthrough.
In an almost party-line vote, Republicans moved their funding bill forward in the House; however, it will require at least some Democratic support there in order to advance in the Senate.
In exchange for their support, the minority party is seeking an extension of the Affordable Care Act health plan subsidies that will expire by the end of the year. They are also asking for a reversal in Republican cuts to public media outlets and Medicaid, the medical coverage program for impoverished and disabled Americans.
The leading Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, claimed that after he presented Trump with the argument for ongoing healthcare expenditure while he was at the White House, "[the president] seemed to, for the first time, understand the magnitude of this crisis."
“If he will accept some of the things we ask, which we think the American people are for, on health care and on rescissions, he can avoid a shutdown, but there are still large differences between us,”
Schumer said.
Republican congressional leaders have shown no signs of shifting in their demands for a vote on their spending bill, which they say will give appropriators more time to reach an agreement on long-term government spending.
“This is purely and simply hostage-taking on behalf of the Democrats,”
said John Thune, the Senate majority leader.
At midnight on Wednesday, a shutdown would start. As part of its drive to reduce government bureaucracy, the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a memo last week that it will take advantage of a funding lapse to conduct additional mass firings.
According to Morning Consult polling released Monday, 32% of people would blame Democrats for a shutdown, while 45% would blame House Republicans.
Which federal services would be closed first in a shutdown?
Some offices involved in research or other public service efforts viewed as non-essential would close and furlough employees. Visitor center, park ranger services, trash collection and facilities management at national parks would not open.
Some agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are a prime example which often furlough almost all of their workers and cease routine inspections of chemical plants, oil and power plants, as well as food inspections and other services. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) will often run out of money pretty quickly after the government closes because an individual's eligibility is determined by the level of funding.
There may be some approvals to disburse funds to individuals starting small businesses but other disaster preparedness money may be made available for loans.