At 00:01 a.m. (05:01 GMT) on Wednesday, the U.S. federal government shutdown entered Day 36, surpassing the 2018–2019 record and becoming the longest in history. 😬
On Tuesday, the Senate made a 14th attempt to pass a short-term funding bill already approved by the House but fell short of the 60 votes needed. Neither side budged, setting the stage for more blame games. 🥊🤷
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that cutting Affordable Care Act tax credits could spike premiums, co-pays and deductibles for tens of millions. Meanwhile, Speaker Mike Johnson blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling this the “Schumer shutdown.”
As politicians spar, real-world impacts keep mounting: flight delays, stalled food assistance and unpaid paychecks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck next week, widespread cancellations—or even airspace closures—could follow. ✈️
FlightAware data shows thousands of flights nationwide are already delayed each day. And the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which reaches 42 million Americans, is limping along on emergency funds after two federal judges stepped in. But relief checks won’t go out until the government reopens, per President Trump. 🍽️
Over 1 million federal employees have gone without pay, lining up for free food and cutting back on spending. The delay in key economic data has Fed Chair Jerome Powell saying, “What do you do if you’re driving in a fog? You slow down.”
The Congressional Budget Office warns that if the shutdown lasts six weeks, U.S. real GDP growth in Q4 could drop 1–2%, with losses of $11 billion—and up to $14 billion at eight weeks. 💸
Public trust is tanking: Congress approval sits at 15%, and polls show nearly 80% of adults disapprove of its performance. Both parties are seen as out of touch. 📉
With no clear end in sight, Americans young and old are feeling the strain. Will leaders find common ground soon? Stay tuned! 📺
Reference(s):
U.S. records longest gov't shutdown in history as it enters Day 36
cgtn.com
