United States (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Senate Republicans and Democrats are working to find a compromise to end the 30-day government shutdown next week as increasing public pressure and expiring benefits fuel urgency. Some centrist Democrats believe their party’s focus on rising health care costs has shifted the political landscape, pushing both sides towards a resolution.
Growing Urgency on Capitol Hill
As reported by Alexander Bolton of The Hill, the federal government is approaching the 30-day mark of its shutdown, making it the second longest in U.S. history. Shutdown fatigue is mounting among lawmakers and the public alike, with many seeking a way to reopen government swiftly.
The shutdown’s impact is increasingly felt across the nation, especially since Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, supporting 42 million Americans, are set to expire imminently. This looming crisis is widely recognised as a critical motivation for senators to find an “off-ramp” from the impasse.
Democratic Arguments and Political Calculations
Several centrist Democrats privately argue that their focus on rising health care costs during the shutdown has swayed public opinion, making it politically expedient to end the stalemate. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) highlighted that the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies will increase out-of-pocket health expenses for millions, a cost Republicans have resisted addressing through negotiations.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (Ill.) emphasised public awareness of climbing health insurance premiums tied to Republicans’ refusal to extend ACA tax credits, reinforcing Democrats’ stance.
The upcoming gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia are another factor. Democrats hope strong performances in these states, particularly Virginia with 140,000 federal employees, could fortify their position to finalise a government reopening deal.
Republican Position and Negotiation Offers
On the Republican side, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged moderate Democrats’ search for a deal while maintaining the GOP’s position against negotiating health care provisions during the shutdown.
Thune confirmed willingness to negotiate ACA subsidy extensions after government reopening and has offered Democrats a chance to vote on their proposals. However, he insists that reopening must proceed first, with no health policy concessions tied to the immediate funding resolution.
Thune described his approach as offering Democrats the opportunity to “take ‘yes’ for an answer,” stressing that a clean continuing resolution is the basis for moving forward.
Union Pressure and Federal Worker Concerns
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing 820,000 federal workers, has intensified pressure on Congress to pass funding and end the shutdown. AFGE President Everett Kelley called for a clean continuing resolution and highlighted the harm shutdown prolongation causes to workers’ livelihoods and public services.
Legislators are also considering proposals to compensate federal employees for lost wages during the shutdown, with sponsors such as Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) advocating for retroactive pay.
Bipartisan Momentum and Practical Solutions
Moderate Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) remarked that bipartisan talks have gained meaningful momentum, driven by the impending SNAP benefit cutoff and heightened public dissatisfaction.
Murkowski explained that most substantive disagreements have been discussed extensively and suggested that reaching an agreement involves stitching together previously debated components, including returning to the regular appropriations process and finding temporary fixes to extend health insurance subsidies.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), actively involved in negotiations, confirmed positive discussions are underway, though acknowledged that more work remains before a final deal is struck.
Broader Impact of the Shutdown
The government shutdown’s ripple effects extend across federal operations, impacting food aid, social and health programs, and governmental functionality. The Congressional Budget Office forecasts the shutdown could reduce U.S. economic growth by up to 2%, with costs to the economy estimated between $7 billion and $14 billion.
Public frustration is growing, with polling showing increased blame on Republican leadership and President Trump for the ongoing impasse.
Path Forward
Although considerable challenges remain, congressional leaders from both parties are cautiously optimistic about reaching a deal next week to lift the shutdown. The focus is on passing a clean continuing resolution that funds the government and reopens federal operations quickly, while deferring contentious policy issues like ACA subsidies to subsequent legislative action.
The political and human costs of the shutdown have made an extended stalemate untenable, pushing lawmakers towards compromise shortly.
Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
