Article Summary –
The federal government partially shut down on October 1 due to Congress and President Trump’s failure to pass any of the 12 annual appropriations bills or a stopgap measure, halting non-essential functions and leaving federal workers unpaid. Democrats proposed a monthlong resolution to extend government operations and health insurance subsidies, but Republicans, led by Trump, refused to negotiate, insisting on a shorter stopgap that did not address rising health insurance costs. The Trump administration has threatened to use the shutdown to further reduce the federal workforce, aiming to cut 300,000 jobs in 2025, while spreading false claims about the Democrat’s proposal regarding healthcare for undocumented immigrants.
The federal government entered a partial shutdown on Oct. 1 after the GOP-led Congress and President Donald Trump missed the deadline to pass any of the 12 annual appropriations bills or a stopgap bill. Read more
Without these spending laws, the government can’t run vital services beyond essential functions, and federal employees remain unpaid.
Subsidies that have reduced Affordable Care Act health insurance costs by hundreds monthly are expiring by 2025’s end, with renewal notices showing potential premium hikes over 20% for millions.
Democrats proposed a monthlong continuing resolution to keep the government open till Oct. 31, extend health insurance subsidies, enhance security funding for public officials, and reverse $1 trillion cuts to Medicaid and health programs under Trump’s July budget law. Learn more
Republicans, led by Trump, have rejected negotiations for an extension, preferring a seven-week stopgap that overlooks health insurance costs.
Passing a stopgap requires a simple House majority but a three-fifths Senate majority, requiring support from seven Senate Democrats.
On Sept. 30, House Republicans adjourned after a brief session, blocking Democratic efforts to keep the government open and avoid insurance cost spikes. Senate Republicans rejected the proposal 53-47. Trump told Fox News on Sept. 12: “The Democrats are sick. There’s something wrong with them. Don’t even bother dealing with them. We will get it through because the Republicans are sticking together for the first time in a long time.” Full story
Trump falsely claimed the Democratic proposal offers free health care to undocumented immigrants, posting on social media: “The Democrats want Illegal Aliens, many of them VIOLENT CRIMINALS, to receive FREE Healthcare.” Read post
The Trump administration has threatened to use the shutdown to lay off more federal workers. Since January, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency has conducted substantial layoffs, aiming to cut the federal workforce by 300,000 in 2025.
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