The federal government shutdown is inching closer to being the longest in U.S. history as little progress has been made in the Senate.
Round 11 of voting to pass the 2026 fiscal year budget lacked bipartisan support, therefore failing the measure again. The bill needed 60 votes to pass but failed at 50-43.
Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly voted against the proposed budget which cuts $14 billion towards foreign aid and public broadcasting. Other concerns from legislators include defense spending and healthcare insurance subsidies. By not extending the subsidies, as proposed in the budget, premiums for Affordable Care Act recipients would increase.
The budget initially passed in the House, but any potential changes to the bill have been blocked due to the continued extension of House recesses put in place by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Johnson said he would lift the recess if a bill to pay military members and federal employees who continue to work is passed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune introduced a bill to start paying military members, but Johnson said it is unlikely to pass.
While federal workers have been without pay for the last three weeks, many are now being furloughed or laid off. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees the country’s nuclear weaponry, has begun furloughing the large majority of staffers while only “mission-critical” employees remain for now.
National parks and their surrounding communities are also being affected. The National Parks Conservation Association estimated that gateway communities, towns where people visiting national parks buy food, hotel rooms, gear and more, could lose a combined $80 million every day the government is shut down.
In addition, while most parks have stayed open, minimal staffing means increased rates of illegal camping, trespassing, vandalism and littering. Even when the shutdown ends, only federal workers will receive back pay, and not contract workers.
President Trump said after a meeting with Senate Republicans that they would not be “extorted” into giving in to Democratic lawmakers’ demands. Democratic lawmakers have reached out to Trump to start negotiations about healthcare subsidies, but he said he would only meet with them after the shutdown ends.
“You always vote for an extension,” Trump said. “Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrats need to vote for the clean bipartisan CR [continuing resolution] and reopen our government. It’s got to be reopened right now.”
Both parties have projected internal unity on the issue, and neither seem willing to back down. Barring an unforeseen development, the government is likely to remain shut down for now.
Author: Payson Davis
Photo courtesy of Jose Luis Magana, AP News
Editor: Hannah Clove
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