In the latest development, the U.S. government shutdown has entered its fifth day and threatens to stretch into a second week as Republicans and Democrats remain at an impasse, chiefly over expiring Obamacare health subsidies [abcnews.go.com#3][lemonde.fr#1]. Republicans, who hold a governing trifecta, have largely taken a passive posture while Democrats dig in, and Speaker Mike Johnson says ACA negotiations can only happen after the government reopens [nytimes.com#1][msnbc.com#6]. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the "only way" forward is a meeting between President Trump and congressional leaders, while the President has so far stayed out of Capitol Hill talks [cbsnews.com#2][thehill.com#4].
Highlights:
- Blame trading: On Sunday, Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Chuck Schumer accused each other of not being serious about negotiations to end the shutdown [cbsnews.com#1].
- Trump’s stance: President Trump renewed warnings of layoffs as the shutdown continued and has stayed out of Capitol Hill negotiations so far [nytimes.com#2][thehill.com#4].
- Core dispute: The stalemate centers on expiring Obamacare health subsidies, with Johnson insisting ACA talks come only after reopening the government [lemonde.fr#1][msnbc.com#6].
- Congressional schedule: Speaker Johnson canceled House votes for this week as Republicans signal few signs of movement [nytimes.com#1].
- Past costs: The 2018 shutdown was estimated to have cost the U.S. economy $11 billion [lemonde.fr#1].
The only way this will ultimately be solved is if five people sit together in a room and solve it, – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
Perspectives:
- President Trump: Has stayed out of the Capitol Hill fray while renewing warnings of layoffs during the shutdown. (The Hill)
- Speaker Mike Johnson: Says negotiations on ACA subsidies cannot happen until the government reopens and has criticized Democrats as not serious. (MSNBC)
- Sen. Chuck Schumer: Argues the 'only way' to resolve the impasse is a sit-down among President Trump and congressional leaders from both parties. (CBS News)
- Sen. John Thune: Has given noncommittal responses about negotiating with Democrats as the shutdown takes hold. (The New York Times)
Sources:
- Republicans warn of pain ahead as US faces second week of shutdown – lemonde.fr
- Both Parties Are Resigned to Deadlock as Government Shutdown Takes Hold – nytimes.com
- Government shutdown enters fifth day as Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse – abcnews.go.com
- Trump aloof as lawmakers fear protracted shutdown – thehill.com
- Johnson says ACA negotiations can't happen until the government reopens – msnbc.com
- Johnson, Schumer accuse each other of not being serious in shutdown negotiations – cbsnews.com
