Shutdown Day Nine: Trust Issues Block Deal Progress/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ On day nine of the U.S. government shutdown, lawmakers on both sides say a deep lack of trust is making bipartisan negotiations nearly impossible. Democrats demand stronger legal guarantees in any deal, citing executive overreach from President Trump. As the crisis drags on, missed paychecks for federal workers and military troops loom.
Government Shutdown Trust Crisis Quick Looks
- Shutdown enters day nine with no resolution in sight
- Lawmakers say mutual distrust halting any path to compromise
- Democrats push for legal safeguards after past rescissions by Trump
- Republicans insist Democrats vote to reopen government before negotiations
- Trump’s team accused of weaponizing shutdown to expand executive power
- Military service members could miss paychecks by Oct. 15
- Lawmakers weigh partial funding bills for essential services
- Budget director Russ Vought threatens targeted funding cuts
- Talks stall as each side questions the other’s motives
- A narrow health care subsidy extension may gain bipartisan traction
Deep Look: Lawmakers Say Lack of Trust Blocking Government Shutdown Resolution
WASHINGTON (AP) — As the government shutdown stretches into its ninth day, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pointing to a growing lack of trust as the key roadblock to ending the standoff.
The political deadlock, rooted in deeper battles over presidential authority, health care policy, and the federal budget, has paralyzed efforts to reach a bipartisan deal. With federal workers facing delayed paychecks and military troops at risk of going unpaid, tensions are rising — but progress remains elusive.
“To have good-faith conversations, you have to have trust,” said Rep. Brad Schneider, chair of the New Democratic Coalition. “There’s a real challenge of trust.”
Partisan Distrust Paralyzes Bipartisan Talks
Lawmakers from both parties have met in private dinners, calls, and small working groups to explore off-ramps. But they’ve found themselves constrained by the widening gulf between the parties — and between Congress and the White House.
Democrats accuse President Donald Trump of exploiting the shutdown to expand executive power. Republicans, meanwhile, say Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is staging the standoff to appease progressive activists and dodge a primary challenge.
“We need more than a handshake,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), highlighting the Democratic insistence on legal commitments, not just verbal agreements.
Republicans have maintained that Democrats must first vote to reopen the government before any broader negotiations can occur, especially on their top demand: extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies.
“You can’t take the federal government hostage and expect to have a reasonable conversation,” said Senate GOP Leader John Thune.
Executive Overreach and Budget Battles Fuel Distrust
Democrats’ distrust is compounded by recent White House moves. Trump’s budget director Russ Vought has aggressively asserted the executive branch’s power to cancel or delay congressionally approved spending, often through what’s known as a “pocket rescission.”
In August, the administration slashed $4.9 billion in foreign aid — including funds allocated to Congress itself — without congressional approval. Even some Republicans criticized the move.
“I hate rescissions, to be honest with you, unless they’re congressionally approved,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Budget expert Matt Glassman from Georgetown University said the administration’s use of rescissions has effectively “blown up the underlying dynamic” of budget negotiations.
Now, Vought is threatening even more aggressive executive actions — including withholding infrastructure funding from Democratic-led states and delaying pay for furloughed workers once funding is restored.
“Carrots work better than sticks,” warned Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), cautioning that the hardball tactics may be backfiring on Capitol Hill.
Democrats Demand Safeguards, Republicans Show Limited Interest
One key demand from Democrats has been the inclusion of new legal safeguards to prevent future rescissions or funding blockades by the White House.
While the GOP remains largely aligned behind Trump’s approach, some Senate Republicans have signaled openness to this idea — particularly if it is folded into final budget bills after the shutdown ends.
“There’s very clear language about how we feel about rescissions,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.). “You’ll find hard, solid support from Republicans to make sure what we agree to gets executed.”
But the sticking point remains: Democrats want these safeguards upfront, not after they vote to reopen the government.
Military Paychecks at Risk by October 15
The most immediate concern is the looming missed payday for military troops, scheduled for October 15. Lawmakers from both parties acknowledge the political and financial risks of letting service members go without pay.
“This is a huge deal,” said one aide close to defense appropriations talks. “No one wants to be the party that let the troops go unpaid.”
House Republicans have passed a GOP-led stopgap bill they say would ensure pay for essential personnel, including TSA agents, border agents, and military troops. But Democrats have so far refused to support it, citing broader issues in the legislation.
“I would not challenge Donald Trump’s resolve on this if I was anybody,” warned Sen. Kevin Cramer, suggesting the GOP has little interest in giving ground.
Some lawmakers have floated passing partial funding bills to protect military pay, but that option has yet to gain serious bipartisan traction.
A Narrow Deal Still Possible?
While most attention is on the shutdown’s political implications, there’s a narrow space for compromise: the ACA subsidies. Trump has signaled support for “great health care” for Americans, and some Republicans say they’re willing to engage — once Democrats agree to reopen the government.
Whether that opening can bridge the deep trust gap remains uncertain. For now, both parties appear entrenched, preparing to test each other’s will as federal paydays approach and public frustration builds.
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