Government shutdown enters fourth week, affecting federal workers, services, economy
As the government shutdown reaches its 19th day, federal workers and services are feeling the strain, with both Democrats and Republicans continuing to blame each other.
As the government shutdown reaches its 19th day, federal workers and services are feeling the strain, with both Democrats and Republicans continuing to blame each other.
As the government shutdown reaches its 19th day, federal workers and services are feeling the strain, with both Democrats and Republicans continuing to blame each other.
The government shutdown is entering a fourth week as Democrats and Republicans blame each other for holding the country "hostage." Caught in the middle, federal workers, government services, and the economy are all feeling the impact.
Previous shutdowns have seen reduced overall economic growth, disproportionately affecting certain industries.
National parks and museums remain closed, flight delays are mounting, and backlogs for new small business loans and flood insurance renewals are growing.
Republicans continue to accuse Democrats of blocking paychecks by refusing to reopen the government, while Democrats argue that Republicans are unwilling to negotiate over the core issue of health care funding.
"Congressional Democrats seem to want to keep the government shut down even though it would mean that a lot of you would not get your paycheck," Vice President JD Vance said in remarks to an audience of Marines celebrating the 250th anniversary Saturday.
Democrats pushed back in "No Kings" protests across the country.
"They're the ones acting like children refusing to negotiate with Democrats in the Senate who they know have to vote for a budget in order for it to become law," Sen. Chris Murphy said in an interview Saturday.
The shutdown has had a sizable impact as uncertainty weighs on the federal workforce. Under the Trump administration's direction, federal agencies have been planning not just furloughs but also permanent layoffs. However, a federal judge has , deeming them potentially illegal.
Public perception of who is to blame has been roughly evenly split. A finds that a majority, about 6 in 10 Americans, blame President Donald Trump and Republicans for the shutdown. An even larger majority, three-quarters of Americans, believe both sides deserve at least a "moderate" share of the blame, suggesting that no one has truly escaped responsibility for the shutdown.
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