The government shutdown is moving into its second month, and tensions between Republican and Democratic senators are escalating as federal food assistance programs start cutting benefits for many Americans.
President Trump mentioned Thursday, after his trip to Asia, that he wants Republicans to employ the “nuclear option” to bring an end to the shutdown. This would mean going around the typical requirement of 60 votes to pass the bill.
However, he’s encountered resistance from his own party. A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) noted that Thune believes the filibuster’s importance remains unchanged.
But with shutdown fatigue creeping in, some Senate members from both parties are exploring possible solutions. Reports indicate that Democratic senators are looking for a way out of the deadlock, particularly as Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) pointed out that the costs associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will spike if tax credits expire at the year’s end.
“We know that health care costs will increase as Republicans block the extension of the Obamacare tax credit,” Bennett stated. He emphasized that Democrats have been advocating for the health care rights of all Americans.
Thune mentioned to reporters on Wednesday that he is in discussions with some moderate Democrats about negotiating a way to extend the ACA tax credits but insists that this should happen after the government reopens.
“The only question is whether they’ll accept ‘yes’ as an answer,” Thune remarked.
If the extension doesn’t happen, many citizens will see their premiums soar come 2026. For instance, a 60-year-old earning $65,000 could face an additional $920 in medical costs, resulting in a monthly premium of $1,380. In contrast, if the credits are extended, the monthly cost would drop to $460.
As for lower-income individuals, those earning less than $27,000 may end up paying $66 a month once the subsidy vanishes, meaning free coverage will be lost. For someone with a $35,000 income, the increase could be $132 compared to $86 if the subsidy persists.
The shutdown has also led to issues within air travel, with the FAA urging lawmakers to resolve the impasse quickly. They report an uptick in air traffic controllers calling out of work, and workers, including TSA employees and around 13,000 controllers, have been operating without pay since the shutdown began.
“After 31 days without pay, air traffic controllers are experiencing severe stress and fatigue,” the FAA stated. “This closure needs to end for them to get the pay they’re owed and to minimize travel disruptions.”
Meanwhile, military personnel are also feeling the pinch. Without financing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), roughly 42 million Americans could struggle with food security, putting many service members at risk.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) has been vocal, urging both parties, especially his own, to support the attempt to pass the “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR) approved by the House without rejecting it.
“Americans don’t have any leverage,” Fetterman expressed in a CNN interview just before SNAP benefits expired. “This isn’t a game show about who can come out on top.”
Fetterman is set to elaborate further on CNN’s “State of the Union” this Sunday regarding the shutdown’s impact on programs like SNAP.
The Trump administration has contended that releasing emergency funds for SNAP beyond Saturday isn’t legally possible, though two federal judges have directed the government to access those funds. Later in the day, Trump declared he would move to cut SNAP funding.
“We don’t want people to go hungry because radical Democrats refuse to act and reopen the government,” he posted on Truth Social. “So, I’ve instructed our attorneys to clarify how SNAP can be legally funded.”
On another note, Trump announced this week that the U.S. would resume nuclear weapons testing after a long pause, prompting backlash from various lawmakers and critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“This is weakness disguised as strength,” Newsom remarked on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” “Classic Trump and Trumpism; this is a historically weak move.”
As we look forward to next week, the upcoming elections scheduled for November 4th are under scrutiny. The New York mayoral race is particularly noteworthy, with Democratic Rep. Zoran Mamdani leading over Democratic former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent after losing in the primaries.
In New Jersey, a contentious gubernatorial battle is expected between Representative Mikie Sherrill (Democrat) and former state Representative Jack Ciattarelli (Republican), who has received Trump’s endorsement based on his energy policy experience.
The Virginia gubernatorial race could see a close match between former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) and Lt. Governor Winsome Earl Sears (Republican), meanwhile, the attorney general race has its own scandals, pitting Democratic candidate Jay Jones against incumbent state Attorney General Jason Miyares (Republican).
Sherrill and Ciattarelli will be featured on ABC’s “This Week,” while Cuomo will appear on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Features.”
This Sunday morning, various topics will be covered, with notable guests lined up:
NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday”: Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-Va.), Virginia House Speaker Don Scott (D-Va.), Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial candidate John Reed (R), and Rep. Ami Bera (D-California).
NBC’s “Meet the Press”: California Governor Gavin Newsom (Democrat)
“Face the Nation” on CBS News: Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (Democrat), Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), and USAA President Juan Andrade.
CNN’s “State of the Union”: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (New York), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (Democrat), Representative Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), and strategists from both sides.
Fox News’ “Fox News Sunday”: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-Louisiana).
FOX News’ “Sunday Morning Futures”: White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Nvidia President Jensen Huang, along with mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and attorney Mike Davis.
ABC’s “This Week”: Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), gubernatorial candidate and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (DN.J.), and former state Rep. Jack Ciatarelli (RN.J.)
