The Government Shutdown Enters Its Second Month
The government shutdown has now entered its second month, and the stalemate between Republican and Democratic senators is reaching a critical point. Federal food programs have stopped issuing benefits to millions of Americans, exacerbating the crisis for those already struggling.
President Trump, returning from his trip to Asia, expressed on Thursday that he wants Republicans to use the “nuclear option” to reject the filibuster, which requires legislation to pass with 60 votes. This move could potentially end the shutdown. However, he faced pushback from within his own party, as a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated that the senator sees no change in the importance of the legislative filibuster.
As the shutdown continues, some Senate Republicans and Democrats are looking for an “off-ramp.” They are considering making a proposal as early as next week. Democratic senators, in particular, are seeking a way to exit the standoff without losing face. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) admitted that Affordable Health Care (ACA) costs will rise if tax credits expire at the end of the year.
Impact on Health Care Costs
Bennet emphasized that the American people’s health care costs will go up because the Republican Party in Washington is refusing to extend the ObamaCare tax credits. He claimed that Democrats have won a victory by demonstrating their commitment to fighting for health care for all Americans.
Thune mentioned that there have been discussions with moderate Democrats about holding negotiations to extend the ACA tax credits, but only after the government reopens. “It’s just a question of whether or not they are at some point willing to take ‘yes’ for an answer,” Thune said.
Without extending the tax credits, coverage prices in 2026 will jump for millions of Americans. Individuals aged 60 and older who make $65,000 a year will pay $920 more for health care, with monthly premiums at $1,380. If the tax credits are extended, monthly premiums in 2026 will be $460. Lower earners would lose their free insurance, as Americans making less than $27,000 are expected to pay $66 a month should the subsidies expire. Those who earn $35,000 will see a $132 increase compared to the $86 if subsidies were extended.
Effects on Air Travel and Military Personnel
The effects of the shutdown are also causing flight delays and cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urged lawmakers to reopen the government after reporting a high number of air traffic controller call-outs. Paid by the federal government, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay since the start of the shutdown.
“After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are under immense stress and fatigue,” the FAA wrote on social platform X. “The shutdown must end so that these controllers receive the pay they’ve earned and travelers can avoid further disruptions and delays.”
Military service members, who have also gone without pay, could face further impacts. Without funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), around 42 million Americans face food insecurity and could plunge thousands of service members into crisis.
Calls for Action and Political Developments
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is among the voices calling on both sides, especially his own party, to act and not vote “no” on another attempt to approve the House-passed “clean” continuing resolution (CR). “Americans are not leverage,” Fetterman told CNN’s Manu Raju on Friday, before SNAP benefits lapsed. “This is not some sh—y gameshow about who’s winning or whatever.”
Fetterman is likely going to talk more about the shutdown’s impact on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other agencies on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday.
The Trump administration has argued that it legally cannot dip into emergency funding to keep SNAP afloat past Saturday, but two federal judges on Friday ordered the administration to tap into those funds. Later in the day, Trump indicated that he would fund SNAP. “I do NOT want Americans to go hungry just because the Radical Democrats refuse to do the right thing and REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT,” he posted on Truth Social. “Therefore, I have instructed our lawyers to ask the Court to clarify how we can legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.”
Focus on Upcoming Elections
Away from the shutdown fight at home, Trump announced this week that the U.S. would resume nuclear weapons testing after a decades-long moratorium. This was met with a great deal of pushback from lawmakers and critics, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).
“This is weakness masquerading in strength,” Newsom said to Kristen Welker in the upcoming episode of “Meet the Press” on NBC News. “This is classic Trump and Trumpism. This guy is historically weak, and these are acts of a weak person that is trying to appear strong.”
Going into next week, attention will also focus on the upcoming elections on Nov. 4. High-profile races include the New York City mayoral race, where Assembly member Zohran Mamdani (D) maintains his polling lead over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat who is running as an independent after Mamdani’s primary win.
The state next door is also expecting a tough race for the New Jersey governorship between Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D) and former state Rep. Jack Ciattarelli (R). Trump endorsed Ciattarelli and has touted his experience with energy policy as a reason to support the Republican candidate.
Split-ticket results are possible in Virginia’s gubernatorial race between former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) and Lt. Gov Winsome Earle-Sears (R), with the attorney general race between Democratic nominee Jay Jones and incumbent state Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) being marked by scandal.
Sherrill and Ciattarelli will appear on ABC’s “This Week,” while Cuomo will appear on Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Features.” These topics and more will be discussed on this week’s Sunday morning news shows.
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