The US government shutdown has stretched into its 28th day with no resolution in sight, as the Senate remains deadlocked over spending legislation. For the 13th time, Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-backed bill that would have funded federal agencies through 21 November. The minority party has refused to support the bill because it does not include funding for healthcare programmes or curbs on Donald Trump’s cuts to congressionally approved funding.
The impasse continues even as a crucial food aid programme, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Snap), teeters on the brink of exhausting its funding. The Department of Agriculture has announced it does not have the money to continue providing benefits after 1 November, though more than two dozen states have sued the Trump administration, arguing that funds are available for Snap benefits to continue.
Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), called on Congress to pass the Republican proposal, citing the economic pain caused to government workers. 'Both political parties have made their point, and still there is no clear end in sight. Today I’m making mine: it’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,' he said in a statement.
However, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer signalled no change in his party’s strategy, citing the imminent rise of premiums for Affordable Care Act health plans. 'Families are going to be in panic this weekend all across America, millions of them. How are they going to pay this bill? How are they going to live without healthcare?' Schumer told reporters.
Republican Senate majority leader John Thune seized on the AFGE statement to argue that Democrats were being irresponsible. He said he would negotiate over expiring tax credits but not with 'a gun to our heads'. Both parties traded blame for the imminent expiration of Snap funding, with North Dakota senator Kevin Cramer suggesting Democrats should support a proposal to allow Snap to continue or 'just reopen the damn government'.
