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The federal government shut down on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government open through Nov. 21.
Senate Republicans and Democrats continued to be at loggerheads on Tuesday night, with Democrats seeking a concession in exchange for the seven Democratic votes needed to overcome a 60-vote procedural threshold in the chamber, which Republicans control 53-47. Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and his caucus sought an extension of Covid-era healthcare premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare. However, Republicans refused to budge and have falsely claimed that Democrats are attempting to secure government-sponsored healthcare for unauthorized immigrants, which is already illegal.
The healthcare premium subsidies will expire on Dec. 31 unless they are extended.
On Tuesday, Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with President Donald Trump and congressional Republican leadership in the Oval Office as part of a last-ditch effort to negotiate and avert a shutdown, to no avail.
It is the 21st government shutdown since 1976.
Under the shutdown, military operations will continue, as will the distribution of veterans’ benefits. However, most federal workers’ pay will be delayed until a funding agreement is enacted. Social Security checks will continue to be distributed as usual. The Department of Health and Human Services is expected to furlough more than 30,000 of its employees, including those working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National Parks are expected to remain partially open. Museums such as the Smithsonian could close as early as Oct. 6.
Schumer received heat from the Democratic base in March after he and a handful of other Senate Democrats voted for a Republican-backed continuing resolution without extracting any concessions from their GOP counterparts. The minority leader’s hardball approach this time around has fueled speculation as to whether he is attempting to avoid criticism from the base and a possible primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) when he is up for reelection in 2028.
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