Airports experience flight delays and staff shortages during closure
Major airports are experiencing staffing shortages as TSA and air traffic controllers work without pay during the government shutdown.
WASHINGTON – The federal government shutdown continued into its 10th day Friday after senators rejected dueling funding bills for the seventh time the previous day.
With neither side changing their positions, it looks increasingly likely that the shutdown will continue into the weekend and into next week.
The Senate on Thursday rejected the Republican-backed government funding bill through Nov. 21 by a vote of 54-45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to override the Democratic filibuster. Democrats continue to push for health policy changes to be included in the funding bill.
President Donald Trump has stepped up his threat to cut off what he calls “Democrat programs” from the government if the government shutdown drags on.
“Frankly, we’re going to cut some of the very popular Democratic programs that are unpopular with Republicans, because that’s the way it works,” Trump said. “They wanted to do this, so we’re giving them a little taste of their own medicine.”
President Trump is scheduled to visit the Middle East on Sunday to celebrate the signing of a peace agreement between Issarel and Hamas. It’s unclear how long he’ll be there.
Will ACA premiums increase during the government shutdown?
no. The closure itself does not increase premiums used on the health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act.
The question may have come up as Congress debates whether to extend enhanced insurance premium subsidies created during the coronavirus pandemic. The enhancements provided more money to those already buying insurance through the exchanges and expanded coverage to more middle-class people. The enhanced premiums expire on December 31st, and without them many people would have doubled or even tripled their premiums.
Democrats want to permanently extend the enhanced premiums. Republicans say Congress shouldn’t be having these conversations during a government shutdown.
Read more about why the timing of this discussion is important.
–Sarah D. Wire
President Trump will head to Walter Reed for a medical checkup today.
President Donald Trump will undergo his second medical exam of the year at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today after being diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July.
The condition, which is common in people in their 70s, showed visible swelling in Trump’s lower legs and ankles, but he told reporters on October 9 that he felt fine.
President Trump said in the Oval Office, “I think he’s feeling very well, but I’ll let you know.” “I’ve never had any trouble.”
President Trump’s medical examination is scheduled for 10 a.m. The announcement will be made at 5 p.m. The White House did not provide details of the announcement.
-Zach Anderson, Joey Garrison
Senator leaves town as federal workers’ paychecks begin to fall behind
No further vote on reopening the government is expected until at least October 14th.
On October 9, senators voted in favor of two bills to fund the government, both of which failed for the seventh time. The Senate is scheduled for an unscheduled interim session on Oct. 10, after which it will adjourn until the 14th.
Some federal employees will start losing pay starting today. If lawmakers don’t restore funding by then, about 1.3 million active-duty military members won’t receive paychecks until Oct. 15.
-Zack Anderson
President Trump said earlier this week that he was open to a deal with Democrats to extend health care benefits, but has now pushed back on the issue.
Congressional Democrats are pushing for an extension of health care benefits to be included in the government’s reopening funding bill, but Republicans are refusing to do so until the shutdown ends.
At Thursday’s Cabinet meeting, President Trump accused Democrats of using health spending as a “club” and argued that Republicans have taken ownership of improving health care.
“We are the ones saving health care,” President Trump said.
On Wednesday, President Trump was noncommittal when asked if he would support extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that expire at the end of this year. Without an extension, insurance premiums for millions of Americans are expected to double.
Asked if he would like to extend the subsidies, Trump said: “What I want to do is very simple. I want to open up the country. And we’re going to talk about it.”
– Joey Garrison
President Trump and the Republican Party on Thursday slammed Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who claimed that “every day will get better for us” as the government shutdown drags on.
Speaking to Punchbowl News, Schumer addressed the Democratic Party’s political stance as the government shutdown continues. He argued that Republicans are more responsible for the government shutdown because they control both chambers of Congress.
But Republicans quickly used Schumer’s comments to criticize him.
“Chuck Schumer declared this morning that every day is getting better for them. No, in fact, things are getting worse for them,” Trump told the Cabinet. “This is an admission that he is acting not to serve the people, but to serve the partisan interests of his party. And I don’t think he is serving the people well.”
“Who is he referring to by us?” said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) from the Senate floor. “We’re not soldiers who aren’t paid, we’re not border guards who aren’t paid, we’re not air traffic controllers who aren’t paid. Who are we? He’s playing a game.”
– Joey Garrison
