US Government Shutdown Reaches Record 36th Day as Trump Refuses Negotiations with Democrats

Trump's handling of the current shutdown markedly differs from his administration's 35-day closure in 2018-19.

Washington:

The government shutdown has now reached its 36th day, setting a new record for the longest in history and causing widespread disruption to millions of Americans through federal program reductions, flight delays, and federal employees nationwide working without compensation.

President Donald Trump has declined to engage with Democrats regarding their requests to preserve expiring health insurance subsidies until they consent to reopening the government. Democratic lawmakers remain doubtful of the Republican president's commitment, particularly after his administration limited SNAP food assistance despite court directives to ensure funding availability for hunger prevention.

Trump, whose first White House term established the previous shutdown record, is scheduled for an early Wednesday breakfast meeting with Republican senators. However, no discussions have been arranged with Democrats.

"Why is this happening? We're in a shutdown because our colleagues are unwilling to come to the table to talk about one simple thing: health care premiums," stated Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., during a late evening address.

"Stop this mess, come to the table, negotiate it," she urged.

With Trump largely uninvolved, discussions have intensified among a loosely organized coalition of centrist senators attempting to resolve the impasse. Expectations are high that the deadlock will break once election results are completely tallied from Tuesday's off-year races, which were closely monitored as indicators of voter sentiment regarding Trump's second term. Democrats claimed key gubernatorial victories in Virginia and New Jersey, as well as the New York City mayoral race, results certain to reshape political assessments.

Earlier that afternoon, however, Senate Democrats emerged from a lengthy private session with somber expressions and no clear path forward.

"We're exploring all the options," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer remarked afterward.

Trump's approach to the current shutdown contrasts significantly with his first term, when government operations were partially suspended for 35 days over his demands for border wall funding. During that instance, he met and negotiated publicly with congressional leaders, eventually conceding in 2019 when unable to secure the funds.

This time, it's not only Trump avoiding negotiations. Congressional leadership remains at an impasse, with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., having sent lawmakers home in September after approving their own funding bill and refusing further discussions.

Meanwhile, food assistance, childcare funding, and numerous other government services face serious disruption, with hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or required to work without pay.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted potential chaos in air travel next week if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck. Labor unions are pressuring lawmakers to restore government operations.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., noted this has been not only the longest shutdown but also "the most severe shutdown on record."

The Republican leader has encouraged Democrats to accept his proposals to vote on healthcare issues while continuing solution negotiations after government reopening, arguing that the standoff benefits no one politically.

"Shutdowns are stupid," Thune stated.

Central to any resolution will be a series of agreements requiring approval from the Senate, House, and White House—an uncertain prospect in Washington.

First, senators from both parties, particularly influential Appropriations Committee members, are advocating to restore normal government funding processes in Congress.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Senate Appropriations Committee chair, and Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., along with several Democrats including Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire and Chris Coons of Delaware, are working behind the scenes.

"The pace of talks have increased," reported Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., who has participated in discussions.

Among the objectives is ensuring upcoming votes on a smaller package of bills with existing bipartisan consensus to fund various government aspects, such as agricultural programs and military construction projects.

"I certainly think that three-bill package is primed to do a lot of good things for the American people," said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., who has also joined negotiations.

More challengingly, numerous senators also seek resolution to the standoff over Affordable Care Act subsidy funding set to expire year-end.

As insurance premium notices are distributed, millions of Americans face alarming price increases. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies, implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic as tax credits, will likely leave many unable to purchase health insurance.

Republicans resist funding the healthcare program, commonly known as Obamacare, without reforms, but negotiating a compromise with Democrats will require time, if achievable at all.

Thune has promised Democrats at least a vote on their preferred healthcare proposal at a specific date as part of any government reopening agreement. However, some senators find this insufficient, viewing the healthcare deadlock as part of broader concerns with Trump's national direction.

The White House maintains its position that Democrats must approve government funding before healthcare discussions can commence. White House officials remain in close contact with Republican senators who have quietly engaged key Senate Democrats, according to a senior White House official speaking anonymously about administration strategy.

The president has urged senators to eliminate the filibuster—the Senate rule requiring 60 votes to advance most legislation—as a means to reopen government.

Republican senators have rejected Trump's demands to end the filibuster, marking a rare public disagreement with the president. Thune and colleagues argue the Senate rule, though sometimes frustrating, ensures minority party oversight of administration, particularly important during power shifts in Washington.

In the current Senate configuration, where Republicans hold a narrow 53-47 majority, Democrats have blocked the House-passed government funding bill through more than a dozen votes.

Trump has suggested that eliminating the filibuster would allow Republicans to bypass Democrats and end the shutdown independently. Republican senators are striving to avoid this outcome.