Article Summary –
The federal government experienced a partial shutdown on October 1 due to the GOP-led Congress and President Trump failing to pass appropriations bills or a stopgap measure, leaving federal programs unfunded and workers unpaid. Trump and Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats on extending health insurance subsidies, rejecting a proposal that sought to prevent insurance premium hikes and reverse substantial cuts to Medicaid. The Trump administration has also been accused of planning to use the shutdown as an opportunity to further reduce the federal workforce, targeting a reduction of 300,000 employees in 2025.
The federal government partially shut down on Oct. 1 after Congress, led by the GOP, and President Donald Trump failed to pass any of the 12 annual appropriations bills or a stopgap bill by the deadline.
Without spending laws, the federal government cannot operate essential programs, and federal workers remain unpaid.
Meanwhile, subsidies that lowered health insurance costs through the Affordable Care Act will expire at the end of 2025. Renewal notices are being sent this month showing premium increases of 20% or more.
Democrats proposed a monthlong resolution to keep the government open through Oct. 31, maintain health insurance subsidies, enhance public official security funding, and reverse $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts from Trump’s July budget.
Republicans, along with Trump, have refused to negotiate, demanding a seven-week stopgap law without addressing insurance cost spikes.
A stopgap bill needs a simple majority to pass in the House but requires a three-fifths supermajority in the Senate. Republicans need seven Senate Democrats’ votes to pass any bill.
On Sept. 30, House Republicans adjourned the chamber after a two-minute session, blocking Democratic efforts to prevent a shutdown and health insurance increases. Senate Republicans rejected the proposal with a 53-47 party-line vote. Trump has refused to negotiate, telling Fox News, “The Democrats are sick. There’s something wrong with them. Don’t even bother dealing with them.”
Trump has falsely claimed that the Democratic proposal provides free health care to undocumented immigrants, stating, “The Democrats want Illegal Aliens, many of them VIOLENT CRIMINALS, to receive FREE Healthcare.”
The Trump administration threatened to use the shutdown to permanently lay off more federal workers. Since January, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has orchestrated tens of thousands of layoffs, aiming to reduce the federal workforce by 300,000 in 2025.
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