The federal government remained shutdown for a ninth consecutive day on Thursday, with Democrats and Republicans still unable to agree on a plan to end the shutdown. The Senate once again failed to advance rival funding proposals, marking the seventh unsuccessful attempt to break the impasse. At the White House, President Trump accused Democrats of “using health care as a weapon” and warned he may cut certain programs if the shutdown continues.
The Senate voted against the GOP-backed bill, which would fund the government through Nov. 21, in a 54-45 vote. Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Nevada’s Catherine Cortez Masto, as well as Angus King of Maine, one of two independents in the Democratic caucus, again voted with Republicans as they have done on prior votes.
With the shutdown in its ninth day, the ramifications are mounting:
- Military families across the country are bracing for the possibility that their next paychecks might not come on October 15 as planned. House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated that Republicans will not back a separate measure to ensure service members are paid during the shutdown. Meanwhile, Democrats argue that addressing military pay alone won’t be enough to resolve the broader government standoff.
- The shutdown’s effects are beginning to ripple through airports nationwide, with staffing shortages among air traffic controllers have already caused delays at several major travel hubs, leaving passengers frustrated and travel schedules in disarray.
- The IRS on Wednesday said that it was furloughing nearly half of its workforce because of the lack of funding by Congress.
Lawmakers showed no indication that they are open to yielding on their respective party’s demands; with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing confidence in his party’s stance, emphasizing Democrats’ insistence on continuing health care subsidies, stating that “every day gets better for us” as negotiations drag on. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson took questions from C-SPAN callers during a morning appearance. In response to a viewer frustrated about possible missed military paychecks, Johnson placed blame on Democrats, saying, “They’re the ones stopping you from getting your check.”
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