Trump Targets Senate Filibuster amid Longest 36-Day U.S. Shutdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. government shutdown has reached 36 days, marking the longest in history. President Trump urges an end to the Senate filibuster to force a reopening. Disruptions continue nationwide, while bipartisan talks intensify with little progress.
Longest U.S. Shutdown Quick Looks
- The 36-day government shutdown is now the longest in U.S. history.
- President Trump is calling for an end to the Senate filibuster to break the impasse.
- Essential federal services like food aid and air traffic control are being affected.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune labels it the “most severe shutdown” to date.
- Health insurance subsidies are at risk, with millions facing higher premiums.
- Bipartisan senators are negotiating smaller funding bills to keep some programs running.
- Trump remains distant from negotiations, focusing on travel and political appearances.
- Democrats are split between fighting for healthcare subsidies and reopening government.
Deep Look: Shutdown Breaks Record as Trump Pressures GOP to End Filibuster
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 36th consecutive day, officially becoming the longest shutdown in American history. The prolonged deadlock has halted critical federal services, suspended food aid, delayed flights, and left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without paychecks.
At the heart of the standoff is President Donald Trump, who is pressing Republican senators to eliminate the Senate’s filibuster rule in order to pass funding legislation without Democratic support. The filibuster currently requires a 60-vote threshold to move most legislation forward, allowing the Democratic minority to stall a GOP-backed funding bill already passed by the House.
“It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster,” Trump stated during a Wednesday breakfast meeting with GOP senators at the White House.
Trump, who previously oversaw a 35-day shutdown during his first term in 2019, expressed frustration over what he called a “big factor, negative” contributing to GOP losses in Tuesday’s off-year elections. Despite his push, Senate Republicans have shown little interest in scrapping the rule, viewing it as a cornerstone of legislative balance.
Mounting Consequences for Americans
The shutdown’s impact is now being felt broadly across the country. Programs such as SNAP food aid, childcare subsidies, and federal infrastructure projects are under severe strain. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of impending chaos in air travel if air traffic controllers miss another paycheck, while labor unions are ramping up pressure on lawmakers to restore government operations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has called this the “most severe shutdown on record,” urging both sides to find a compromise. Thune has suggested moving forward with a vote on expiring healthcare subsidies to spur negotiations.
“Shutdowns are stupid,” Thune remarked, emphasizing the growing political and social toll.
Healthcare Funding the Flashpoint
A major sticking point remains the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Originally enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, these subsidies dramatically lowered health insurance costs for millions. As notices of increased premiums are mailed out, many Americans face the prospect of losing coverage due to unaffordable costs.
Democrats are demanding a guarantee that the ACA subsidies will be funded before they agree to reopen the government. Republicans, however, are hesitant to fund Obamacare programs without implementing broader reforms. Some bipartisan senators hope to negotiate a smaller funding package that includes popular programs like agricultural assistance and military construction, but the healthcare impasse looms large.
“I certainly think that three-bill package is primed to do a lot of good things for the American people,” said Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.).
Trump’s Passive Role Raises Eyebrows
Notably, President Trump has remained largely disengaged from the legislative process, maintaining an active travel schedule and hosting events, including at his private Mar-a-Lago resort. His detachment has left negotiations to a handful of centrist senators and members of the Appropriations Committee who are scrambling to salvage bipartisan elements of the federal budget.
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) noted that the pace of behind-the-scenes talks has increased, with lawmakers exploring ways to decouple contentious healthcare issues from other essential funding measures.
Divided Democrats, Stalemated Senate
The recent Democratic sweep in several off-year election contests has further complicated negotiations. Some Democrats see the results as a mandate to hold firm on progressive priorities like healthcare, while others are urging a swift resolution to end the growing public frustration.
Whatever the path forward, lawmakers face mounting pressure as the shutdown grinds on. The ripple effects on the economy, public trust, and political capital are accumulating — and with Trump doubling down on his demand to abolish the filibuster, a resolution remains uncertain.
As the crisis enters its sixth week, Americans across the country are left wondering when, or if, Washington will reopen its doors.
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