Government Shutdown Enters 16th Day, Hitting Military Pay and Federal Workers

Strategic Insights -

As the government shutdown enters its 16th day, federal workers are facing uncertainty over their paychecks, with some without a guaranteed payday, while hundreds of thousands are furloughed. The Senate rejection of a stopgap spending bill marks the 10th time Congress has been unable to reach a deal, with the White House budget office estimating it will cost $6.5 billion to cover one pay period. The standoff has led to bipartisan talks, but progress remains elusive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate rejected the stopgap spending bill for the 10th time, with a 51-45 tally, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance.
  • The government shutdown has resulted in hundreds of thousands of federal workers being furloughed, with many more without a guaranteed payday.
  • The White House budget office estimates that it will cost $6.5 billion to cover one pay period, with the next pay period two weeks away.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune has offered to hold a later vote on extending subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act, but Democrats refuse to budge.
  • Democrats are demanding a guarantee on extending tax credits for the health plans, warning that millions of Americans will see large increases in premium prices.
  • Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer warns that voters will demand that Republicans enter into serious negotiations by a November 1 deadline.
  • A vote to proceed to appropriations bills was also rejected by Democrats, with Senator Lisa Murkowski expressing concerns about the impact on real people.
  • Senator John Thune has insisted that Democrats must first vote to reopen the government before engaging in negotiations on health care.

Statistics:

  • The government shutdown is on track to surpass the 16-day closure in 2013, which was also over the Affordable Care Act.
  • The longest shutdown ended in 2019, after 35 days.
  • The government has estimated that covering one pay period will cost $6.5 billion.
  • The next pay period is two weeks away, with uncertainty over how long military will continue to be paid.

Sources:

  • [1] Stephen Groves, Mary Clare Jalonick; Associated Press Washington -- Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won't back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits.
  • [2] STEPHEN GROVES, MARY CLARE JALONICK; ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won't back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits.
  • [3] STEPHEN GROVES, MARY CLARE JALONICK; ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON -- Senate Democrats rejected for the 10th time Thursday a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government, insisting they won't back away from demands that Congress take up health care benefits.