Republicans Warn of Pain Ahead as US Shutdown Enters Second Week

Officials in the Trump administration and senior Republicans warned on Sunday that Americans will increasingly feel the impact of an ongoing US government budget shutdown, as most federal operations remain closed.

With Democrats refusing to yield on their demands for continued government health care subsidies in the budget, the White House indicated that plans are being finalised to dismiss thousands of federal workers.

Government shutdowns are a recurring feature in Washington when gridlock prevents agreement on budget priorities. During these periods:

• All non-essential federal workers are furloughed or left unpaid
• Essential operations continue at reduced capacity
• Negotiations between the two parties continue

This particular shutdown is notable for the higher stakes, with President Donald Trump threatening to permanently fire employees rather than merely furlough them.

The impasse, now in its fifth day, shows no immediate resolution. A top Democrat noted that no discussions had taken place between congressional leaders since Monday.

Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House’s National Economic Council, told CNN’s State of the Union: “If the president decides that the negotiations are absolutely going nowhere, then there will start to be layoffs.”

He added that there is still hope: “People are remaining hopeful that, when we get a fresh start at the beginning of the week, we can get the Democrats to see that it’s just common sense to avoid layoffs.”

President Trump appeared resigned to a prolonged shutdown, placing the blame on Democrats: “They’re causing it. We’re ready to go back. Anybody laid off, that’s because of the Democrats.”

Senator John Thune, Senate Republican majority leader, acknowledged a deadlock: “It’s going to get uncomfortable,” Thune said on Sunday Morning Futures.
“Some behind-the-scenes discussions are addressing the potential extension of subsidies for Obamacare.”

The length of the shutdown depends on the Democrats’ stance, according to Thune: “Just as long as the Democrats want it to.”

Although Republicans control the mechanisms of power in Washington, Democrats are blaming Trump’s party for the impasse.

• The minority Democrats aim to force Republicans to address the health care subsidies issue
• They have blocked a Trump-backed temporary funding resolution, withholding just enough votes to prevent passage

Previously, in March, Democrats had relented, voting for a six-month Republican resolution despite reservations over policy. Now, they are demanding negotiations on health subsidies.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned on NBC’s Meet the Press: “If Republicans continue to refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) tax credits, tens of millions of American taxpayers are going to experience dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles.”

A CBS News poll released on Sunday revealed that public concern about the shutdown spans party lines:

The shutdown’s effect on Americans’ daily lives and economic stability is a growing concern.

The last US government shutdown began in December 2018, during President Trump’s first term, and lasted a record 35 days.

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the 2018 shutdown cost the US economy approximately $11 billion.