This year’s government shutdown has been one of the longest in our history, and there’s been a lot of opinions and blame thrown around. However, the truth is harder to find. Here are some essential facts about the shutdown.
Why is there a shutdown?
While Republicans control Congress, they control the Senate by a smaller margin, meaning there are 60 senators who could prevent a piece of legislation from coming to a vote. When the most recent budget bill, HR-1 came to the floor, it prioritized ICE and other military spending, cutting a wide range of necessary programs. Democrats in the Senate wanted to reverse cuts to Medicaid, a program that millions of senior citizens, disabled Americans, and low-income people depend on, as well as protect federal tax cuts that reduce health insurance costs. There was also a fight to keep government health agencies funded.
Without 60 votes in the Senate, the bill could not pass, and a stopgap bill also failed. The purpose of the shutdown is to give space for an agreed-upon budget bill to be hammered out, but Republicans have generally refused to do the necessary negotiations. As of November 5th, the shutdown had gone on for 36 days, beating the 35 days of the previous record holder in Trump’s first term.
Why are these programs so important to protect?
Medicaid covers about 72 million people, or about 1 in 5 Americans, focusing on vulnerable demographics. It is also a lifeline for rural communities. HR-1 would cut $700 billion from these programs, either leaving millions without coverage at all or leaving already strained states to pick up the slack.
The ACA tax credits are designed to protect healthcare access, and with them gone, premiums could go up by 114% and anyone earning more than $63,000 won’t be eligible for cuts at all.
What are some effects of the shutdown going on for so long?
Nearly a million government workers aren’t getting paid, SNAP ended for many on November 1st, crucial health data is not being recorded, and so much more. There are also unpredictable effects that this could have on the economy. While many Democrats have done their best to get their colleagues to negotiate, there has been no compromise to protect healthcare, much of which has been standard in previous budgets.
When will the shutdown resolve?
That’s currently unknown. With the current recess, there will likely be a delay until the Thanksgiving holiday. The blue Election sweep on November 4th may have some effect on public opinion and put pressure on certain lawmakers, but it’s too soon to tell.
What do you think of this shutdown? Have you been affected? Comment below.
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