Trump urges Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to end the shutdown
Republicans have strongly opposed ending the filibuster despite President Trump’s calls to do so to end the government shutdown.
Monday, November 3, marks the 34th day of the federal government shutdown, now in its second month.
The crisis, currently the second-longest government shutdown, could break new records this week if lawmakers do not reach an agreement to fund federal agencies. If the impasse continues, by Wednesday, November 5, the closure will be the longest in US history.
Over the weekend, President Donald Trump’s administration changed its tune on tapping an emergency fund to pay for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program after two federal judges ruled last week that officials needed to make at least partial payments for November.
during Interview on “60 Minutes” On Sunday, Trump also confirmed that he would meet with Democrats on support for the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which has been a major sticking point for lawmakers in the shutdown.
Most Democrats have refused to reopen the government until subsidies are extended to help people pay their Obamacare premiums, which are expected to double this year. Trump, in line with many Republican lawmakers, said the government must reopen before health care talks can begin.
“I’m not going to do it through blackmail,” Trump said on “60 Minutes.”
Is the government still dysfunctional?
Yes, the federal government remains largely shut down, and has been since midnight on October 1st.
More than 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed and ordered not to report to work. Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.
Except for members of the military, who received their paychecks on October 15 and 31, and some Department of Homeland Security officers, other federal employees remained without pay during the shutdown. Their last partial paycheck on October 10 covered hours worked before the shutdown.
Are SNAP benefits issued?
While the USDA previously said it would not issue benefits on Nov. 1 to nearly 42 million low-income Americans who rely on the program, two federal judges on Oct. 31 ordered the department to use $5.25 billion in emergency funds to at least partially continue SNAP payments.
Partial SNAP payments “could” flow by Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said Sunday during an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“There is a process that has to be followed,” Besant said. “So we have to know what the process is.”
Trump also said on October 31 that he had instructed executive branch lawyers to figure out how the federal government could legally fund SNAP as soon as possible.
“It’s already delayed enough that Democrats are keeping the government closed until the monthly payment date, and even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while states get the money.” Trump wrote On social truth. “If we are given appropriate legal guidance by the court, I would be honored to provide funding, just as I have done with military and law enforcement salaries.”
How long did the longest government shutdown last?
As it currently stands, the longest government shutdown in US history lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019 during Trump’s first presidency.
During this shutdown, Republicans and Democrats clashed over funding for Trump’s wall on the US-Mexico border.
If the current lockdown reaches and ends Tuesday, November 4, it will be the longest in history. If it reaches the November 5 mark of 36 days, it will become the longest in history.
What do Democrats and Republicans want from reopening the government?
Democrats are pushing to guarantee tax breaks for the 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and have refused to support a government spending bill that does not address the issue.
Senate Democrats want to make permanent the tax break, which would have expired at the end of the year, and provide reassurances to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding the money.
Republicans and the president say they are open to considering reforming the ACA’s expiring tax breaks, but want to address the issue separately from the ongoing budget impasse.
Melina Khan is a national correspondent for USA TODAY. Can be accessed at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
