The US government shutdown enters its second day with President Donald Trump stating Republicans have the opportunity to use this period to remove dead wood from federal departments. Trump posted online that he has a historic chance to review which Democratic departments need to be cut, temporarily or permanently. The White House reports mass layoffs are imminent and may leave workers losing their jobs permanently. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reports that threats of laying off employees will not make Democrats fold. Both sides are accusing the other of the shutdown, which is the first one in nearly seven years, and the next vote that may close it won’t come until Friday.
Healthcare Dispute at Centre of Shutdown
The central battle between Republicans and Democrats is over health care money. Republicans continue to say that Democrats closed the government because of extreme requests to provide health care money to illegal aliens. Democrats have labelled the claim a total falsehood. Democrats wish to expand Obamacare health insurance assistance and roll back modifications to Medicaid enacted in Trump’s summer big tax bill.
The White House takes aim at particular components of the Democrat plan that would undo health alterations for legally present immigrants, such as refugees. Democrats are eager to reopen access to healthcare for them, but Jeffries clarified that they are not attempting to provide it to illegal immigrants. Senator Bernie Sanders asserts that reductions in Medicaid and increased insurance premiums will hurt low-income individuals harshly. Both camps are entrenched in their stands, and neither appears willing to make concessions.
White House Plans to Cut Federal Agencies
Trump sat down with Russell Vought, who leads the Office of Management and Budget, to determine which agencies to trim. Vought previously announced that he is halting almost 8 billion in funding for the Green New Deal and shelving 18 billion of a New York City infrastructure program. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that thousands of federal employees will be fired, focusing on agencies that don’t share their values.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune is staying at arm’s length from Vought’s plan, telling him he will not back permanently terminating federal employees during the shutdown. Vought informed Republicans that the firing of workers would begin in a day or two. Some Republicans, such as Congressman Mike Lawler of New York, have criticised such tactics. The latest news indicates Trump is dead serious about utilising this shutdown to reorganise the federal government.
How the Shutdown Impacts Ordinary Americans
Federal employees are commuting to work without pay or remaining at home on unpaid leave. At Reagan National Airport, TSA officials are manning security lines without paychecks, but flights continue to operate well thus far. National monuments and museums throughout Washington, DC, have shut their doors to sightseers. The National Archives is closed down and turning away visitors, although the Statue of Liberty remains open.
DC restaurants are providing free meals to federal workers who present government identification. A barbecue joint is providing free pulled pork sandwiches daily until the shutdown is over. A Department of Commerce worker said they live from week to week and will have a hard time paying bills. Public opinion is evenly divided along party lines over who is to blame, and most will not pressure Congress to resolve the shutdown unless they perceive a direct impact on their own lives.
News At Glance
- US government shutdown enters second day with Trump set to slash Democrat agencies
- White House threatens drastic mass layoffs of federal workers that may turn out to be permanent job losses
- The healthcare spending standoff has Democrats and Republicans unwilling to yield on demands
- Thousands of federal workers are labouring without pay or working from home on furlough
- Museums and monuments are off-limits to tourists, while some restaurants serve free food to staff
FAQs
- Why did the US government shut down?
Congress was unable to approve a spending bill because Democrats and Republicans do not see eye to eye on healthcare expenditures.
- How long will the government shutdown last?
No one knows, but the next vote to potentially close it out won’t occur until Friday at the earliest.
- Are federal employees being paid during the shutdown?
No, essential employees have to work without pay, and non-essential employees are at home on unpaid leave.
- What is Trump going to cut during the shutdown?
Trump is going to review Democratic agencies and determine what to cut temporarily or permanently.
- Can Democrats and Republicans agree to shut this down?
Both parties are accusing one another, and there is no indication that either party will back down at the moment.
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