Government Shutdown Poised to Break Record as Trump Holds Firm/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The federal government shutdown is approaching the longest in U.S. history as negotiations stall. President Trump insists he won’t be “extorted” by Democrats seeking ACA subsidy extensions. Meanwhile, millions face delayed paychecks, food aid cuts, and health care uncertainties.
Government Shutdown Stalemate – Quick Looks
- Shutdown nears six weeks, set to become the longest in U.S. history
- Trump refuses negotiations until Democrats vote to reopen government
- Democrats demand ACA subsidy extension before any funding agreement
- Federal workers miss pay; food aid and air travel disruptions escalate
- Trump renews call to eliminate Senate filibuster, GOP leaders resist
- Republicans seek five Democrats to cross the aisle for a funding bill
- SNAP recipients face delays; court orders administration to release funds
- Trump mocks Democrats online, drawing criticism amid growing public pressure
- Democrats call on Trump to return to Washington and negotiate
- Previous record was 35 days during Trump’s 2018-19 border wall standoff
Deep Look
Government Shutdown on Track to Break Record as Trump Refuses Negotiations
WASHINGTON — The U.S. federal government shutdown is on pace to become the longest in American history this week, as President Donald Trump reaffirms he will not negotiate with Democrats unless they first vote to reopen the government.
Now in its 33rd day, the shutdown is impacting millions of Americans. Federal workers are missing paychecks, air travel is experiencing growing delays, and critical food aid programs risk disruption. Trump, however, remains unmoved, accusing Democrats of attempting to “extort” policy concessions on health care.
In a televised “60 Minutes” interview aired Sunday, Trump stated unequivocally that he would only engage in negotiations after the government is reopened. The president criticized Democratic demands to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, set to expire at year’s end, calling the ACA a “terrible” system.
“They have lost their way,” Trump said. “And if they don’t vote, it’s their problem.”
The standoff has effectively frozen Washington. Democrats have now voted 13 times to approve a continuing resolution to reopen the government, but they are holding firm on securing a commitment from Republicans to maintain ACA subsidies. These subsidies, first expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, help keep health insurance premiums affordable for millions.
While Democrats see this as a necessary safeguard, Trump and many Republicans want to use the leverage of a shutdown to negotiate broader health care reforms. Trump promised to “fix” the ACA if Democrats first vote to fund the government, but did not offer specifics.
Pressure on Senate GOP Leaders
As pressure builds, Trump has renewed his call for Senate Republicans to abolish the filibuster, which currently requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. Trump argued that eliminating the rule would allow the GOP to pass legislation without needing Democratic support.
“Republicans have to get tougher,” he said. “If we end the filibuster, we can do exactly what we want.”
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republican senators have resisted the idea, warning it could erode the Senate’s institutional safeguards and backfire when Republicans are in the minority.
Thune, while defending the rule, encouraged moderate Democrats to join Republicans in ending the shutdown. “We need five with a backbone,” he said, “to say we care more about the lives of the American people than political leverage.”
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine acknowledged ongoing discussions about a potential compromise, including maintaining ACA subsidies and limiting future federal job cuts. Still, no deal appears imminent.
Mockery Over Negotiation
While the shutdown’s toll mounts, Trump has intensified his public criticism of Democrats. He has shared mocking videos online, including one of Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero.
The White House even created a parody “My Space” profile page lampooning Democratic leaders, with the tagline: “We just love playing politics with people’s livelihoods.”
Critics have blasted the president for failing to treat the crisis seriously. Democratic leaders say only Trump can end the stalemate.
“He has to get serious,” said Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia. “Republicans can’t move on anything without a Trump sign off.”
Warner expressed hope that now that Trump is back in Washington, talks could resume and potentially resolve the situation.
Widening National Impact
The current shutdown is drawing comparisons to the 35-day closure from December 2018 to January 2019, which ended when Trump dropped his demand for border wall funding amid growing backlash. Then, as now, airport delays and unpaid federal workers escalated public frustration.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Sunday that airport slowdowns are spreading due to staffing shortages.
“It’s only going to get worse,” he said on ABC’s “This Week.”
Many federal workers are now facing agonizing decisions. “Do I pay rent, feed my kids, or go to work without a paycheck?” Duffy said, describing the tough reality many are confronting.
In New York, emergency management officials reported average delays of two hours at Newark Airport, blaming understaffed control towers. A full ground stop was under consideration if staffing continued to deteriorate.
SNAP Benefits on the Brink
Perhaps most alarming is the growing threat to federal nutrition assistance. Roughly 42 million Americans depend on SNAP benefits, which were at risk after the Department of Agriculture announced plans to withhold $8 billion in funding beginning Saturday.
Two federal judges have since ordered the administration to disburse the funds, but distribution has lagged. House Democratic Leader Jeffries accused Trump of “weaponizing hunger” for political gain.
“They’ve found money for everything else,” Jeffries said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But somehow they can’t find money to make sure Americans don’t go hungry.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded by reiterating that only a bipartisan agreement could ensure continued SNAP funding.
“The best way for SNAP benefits to get paid is for Democrats — for five Democrats to cross the aisle and reopen the government,” Bessent said.
Outlook Remains Unclear
As the shutdown stretches into another week, few believe a breakthrough is near. With neither side budging, the historic standoff underscores deep divisions in Washington over governance, health care, and political power.
And for the millions caught in the middle — from unpaid federal employees to families relying on food aid — the wait for resolution grows increasingly urgent.
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