As of midnight October 1, the federal government officially shut down due to an impasse on congressional spending bills. Democrats refused to agree with the funding unless Republicans arranged to extend funding for health care subsidies. The subsidies currently expire under the Affordable Healthcare Act, and will cause insurance premiums to skyrocket nationwide. Democrats also call for the reversal of Trump-mandated Medicaid cuts and budget cuts for government health organizations. Republicans, although dominating both chambers of Congress, lack the 60 required votes to approve a spending bill, with Democrats refusing a Republican proposal to extend funding, voting against the measure by 55-45.
“I think it’s a testament to how nobody knows what’s going on in the government right now, and how divided we are as a country, to the point where Congress can’t even do its job. There is a lack of collaboration between parties, and it feels like both sides are trying to do what’s best for themselves, instead of what’s best for the country. However, I think that since the parties will have to work together to end the shutdown, in order to get enough votes, I feel a little — emphasis on little — optimism,” magnet sophomore Naeema Kallon said.
Since 1976, 20 funding gaps have resulted in 10 government shutdowns. Before the 1980s, shutdowns could not cause funding gaps; however, in 1980, Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti brought forth a new legal basis. He described that non-essential government agencies, due to federal law, cannot spend money without congressional approval. Since the change, the longest shutdown in history, also under the Trump presidency, lasted 35 days. It occurred after the Senate failed to pass a $5.7 billion spending bill for the construction at the U.S. southern border.
The deadlock caused funding for the U.S. federal government to temporarily halt, including the postponement of job reports. The 2025 shutdown follows the trend of Trump substantially reducing the size of the national government — dismantling and cutting the funding of several agencies. A stopgap bill, passed in the House ahead of the shutdown, still awaits Senate approval. Workers considered non-essential face the probability of furloughment, while essential workers are forced to work without pay. These include National Park Service (NPS) workers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and the military.
“Congress’s main job is to create a bill for budgeting. They didn’t do that. Congress is getting more detracted from what they’re really supposed to be doing and getting re-elected is becoming more important than their civil duties. People are getting laid off, and I don’t think Congress cares anymore about the people harmed. My godfather works for the EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency], so he’s probably going to be furloughed,” magnet junior Anderson Johnson said.
