WASHINGTON (AP) — As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week, Speaker Mike Johnson has warned that it may become the longest shutdown in American history. Refusing to engage in negotiations with Democrats until they halt their health care demands, Johnson's stance is drawing significant attention as federal employees face unprecedented layoffs.
On Monday, Johnson addressed the media from the Capitol, emphasizing that he remains unaware of the specifics of large-scale layoffs affecting federal workers under the Trump administration. This mass redundancy is perceived as a part of a broader strategy to minimize government functions as the administration maintains a tight grip over operations during the impasse.
As the shutdown continues, Vice President JD Vance has reportedly warned lawmakers of impending painful cuts. With critical government operations halted, including the closure of cultural institutions and disruptions to flight services, the overall uncertainty in the economy worsens.
Johnson stated, “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” and indicated that solutions are unlikely to materialize soon. The House remains out of session, with Johnson declining to bring lawmakers back for discussions, while the Senate is grappling with deadlocked votes.
The crux of the conflict centers on health care policy, particularly regarding the Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire. Democrats are adamant about extending these subsidies, whereas Republicans have adopted a stance that delays addressing them for the time being.
Financial analysts suggest that failing to renew these subsidies could result in skyrocketing health insurance costs starting from the next open enrollment period on November 1, placing millions of Americans in jeopardy.
This unyielding standoff echoes past government shutdowns, particularly the 16-day halt in 2013 led by Republican opposition to the Affordable Care Act under President Obama. With an estimated 24 million individuals currently benefiting from Obamacare, discussions around health care reform continue to dominate the political landscape.
