The U.S. government shutdown enters its 37th day, continuing its streak as the longest in history, and many federal employees remain without pay, including air traffic controllers who continue to work without pay.
According to an NPR report, citing an airline dispatcher who warned that if the shutdown continues past Thanksgiving, the nation could face “the worst travel day in aviation history.”
US President Donald Trump has stepped up pressure on Senate Republicans to end the shutdown, now in its 37th day and the longest in US history, calling it a “huge, negative” factor in the GOP’s poor performance nationally.
“It’s much bigger than a shutdown,” Trump said. “This is the survival of our country.
Read also | FAA flight restrictions: Trump admin to limit 10% of flights at 40 major US airports if…
But Democrats see Trump’s involvement as a reason to stand firm and believe his participation could help secure a deal to extend health care subsidies, a key issue for their support.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who is a Democrat and a leading voice in the progressive movement, said Democrats “must stay strong” and should secure assurances on expanding health care subsidies — including “a commitment from the Speaker of the House that he will support the legislation and that the president will sign it.”
But skeptical Democrats question whether the Republican president will keep his word, especially after his administration slashed SNAP food aid despite court orders to ensure funds are available to prevent hunger.
Trump’s approach to the shutdown is in stark contrast to his first term, when the government was partially shut down for 35 days over his demands for money to build a US-Mexico border wall. He was then publicly meeting and dealing with Congress officials. Failing to secure the money, he stepped down in 2019.
What does the shutdown mean for federal employees?
Meanwhile, U.S. airlines scrambled Thursday to adjust flight schedules and respond to a surge in customer inquiries after the federal government ordered flight restrictions at some of the nation’s busiest airports, adding to travel disruptions caused by the ongoing shutdown.
Transport Minister Sean Duffy said the cuts on Wednesday (local time) citing security risks in air traffic control due to staff shortages. Tens of thousands of flights have already been delayed nationwide, affecting an estimated 3.2 million passengers. The first round of reductions, which will cut about 4% of scheduled flights, starts on Friday and is expected to increase to 5% on Saturday, 6% on Sunday and potentially 10% by next week if the shutdown continues.
About 1.4 million civilian federal employees nationwide are currently without pay, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C.
Read also | SNAP benefits: Trump says food aid will resume after government shutdown ends
While federal law requires workers to receive back pay after a shutdown, the White House has disputed that. Meanwhile, the Senate was unable to advance two competing measures aimed at providing at least partial pay to federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown.
A key challenge for senators is resolving the impasse over funding for the Affordable Care Act subsidies, which are set to expire at the end of the year. With premium notices sent out, millions of Americans are in for sticker shock from skyrocketing costs. The expiration of enhanced federal subsidies that were put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic as a tax break is expected to leave many unable to afford health insurance.
Read also | Donald Trump’s Long Winter: US Elections Test Presidency in Stalemate
When is the next vote to reopen the government?
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m. Nov. 6, but it is uncertain whether lawmakers will hold a 15th vote on reopening the government.
Even if a vote does occur, congressional officials have given little indication that the temporary funding bill has enough support to pass. The last attempt, on November 4, failed by a vote of 54–44.
According to prediction market Polymarket, only 1.9% of traders expect the shutdown to end by November 7, while 19% expect a resolution between November 8 and 11 and 33% between November 12 and 15.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.D.) has assured Democrats that they will get a vote on their preferred health care proposal by a certain date as part of any deal to reopen the government.
This is much bigger than a shutdown. This is the survival of our country.
But some senators remain unconvinced, viewing the health care impasse as part of broader concerns about Trump’s direction for the country.
(With inputs from AP, NPR)
Key things
- The ongoing government shutdown has resulted in significant disruptions to air travel and federal employee salaries.
- The expiration of health care subsidies poses the risk of increased costs for millions of Americans.
- Political maneuvering continues as parties vie to resolve the shutdown, impacting real lives.
