U.S. Senator John Thune (R-SD) speaks during the weekly Republican news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September, 13, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Senate Deadlock Persists
The U.S. Senate on Friday once again rejected competing funding measures, leaving the federal government shutdown in place for a third straight day. The failure of both Republican and Democratic proposals means the funding lapse is set to last at least through Monday.
Republicans sought a short-term measure to extend funding at current levels until late November, while Democrats pushed for legislation that included additional health-care provisions. Neither approach gained the votes needed to advance.
Partisan Disputes Intensify
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) accused Democrats of obstructing progress in order to appeal to their party’s left wing. “It’s all about President Trump and the Democrats needing to pick a fight to satisfy their far left political base,” Thune said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) placed responsibility on President Donald Trump, saying he created the circumstances leading to the shutdown.
Impact of the Shutdown
The ongoing shutdown is expected to furlough roughly 750,000 federal workers and suspend numerous government programs. While past shutdowns typically resulted in workers receiving back pay, the Trump administration has indicated that permanent layoffs may be considered, marking a potential shift in policy.
Administration Actions
President Trump said Thursday that Democrats had given him an “unprecedented opportunity” to reduce what he referred to as “Democrat Agencies.”
In recent days, the administration:
- Froze $18 billion in Department of Transportation funds tied to infrastructure projects in New York City.
- Canceled nearly $8 billion in climate-related initiatives in multiple states.
- Halted $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago’s transit system.
What’s Next
With no agreement in sight, lawmakers are unlikely to move forward on a compromise before the start of the new week. The standoff continues as both parties remain focused on attributing blame rather than bridging differences over spending priorities.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
About the Author
