The current government shutdown is putting Congress under the spotlight, shifting the focus away from the White House. This marks a significant change from past shutdowns, particularly the 35-day standoff during Donald Trump’s first term, which spotlighted his goal of funding a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. This time, the dispute lies entirely within Congress, where Republicans and Democrats are deadlocked over healthcare provisions.
In a surprising reversal from his typical approach to the media, Trump is using this shutdown to his advantage by allowing Congress to take center stage. Libertarian columnist Kristin Tate observed, “By staying relatively quiet right now, President Trump is allowing Democrats to ‘own’ the shutdown.” According to Tate, Trump’s silence is strategic; he recognizes that any vocal confrontation could steer the narrative toward his comments instead of the Democratic Party’s reluctance to support a budget agreement. “The Democrats will ultimately bear most of the political consequences of the shutdown,” she contends.
The partial shutdown commenced as Senate Republicans clashed with Democrats over a temporary funding bill aimed at keeping the government operational through November 21. Although a version of the bill was passed by the House in September, it failed to gain momentum in the Senate after three Democrats sided with Republicans, resulting in a total that fell short of the required 60 votes.
Trump and Republican leaders are accusing Democrats of attempting to provide healthcare to illegal immigrants as a sticking point holding up the government. They focus on a proposed repeal of parts of Trump’s tax and domestic policy bill, which reduced Medicaid eligibility for noncitizens. However, Democrats counter these claims, asserting that their goal is to extend certain Affordable Care Act subsidies that are set to expire at the end of 2025. “That is absolutely false,” remarked Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer regarding Republican assertions about undocumented individuals receiving credits.
The current standoff contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s shutdown, which was heavily centered on funding for border security. Last time, Trump was at the forefront of the showdown, eventually relenting under pressure to reopen the government to ensure federal workers received their wages. Political strategist Matt Wolking noted the shift in dynamics: “The main difference between this shutdown and the previous one is that Democrats are the ones requesting a policy change — not the White House.” He emphasizes that Republicans are now well-positioned to control the messaging surrounding the shutdown.
Republican strategist Matt Gorman pointed out that Democrats find themselves in a precarious position after voting against the continuing resolution. “Times have shown over and over through the years that the public supports funding the government,” Gorman said, suggesting that the party that adds extra demands often suffers politically. “You’re already seeing moderate Democrats splinter off,” he added, predicting further fractures as the standoff drags on.
Amid the chaos, Trump is taking a unique approach by pushing to downsize the federal government. In a notable directive, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget asked agencies to prepare for potential layoffs if the funding lapse continues. “Republicans must use this opportunity of Democrat forced closure to clear out dead wood, waste, and fraud,” Trump stated emphatically. His allusion to “billions of dollars” in potential savings encapsulates the administration’s outlook on the shutdown.
Vice President JD Vance has also asserted his position, expressing optimism that the shutdown would not last long. He believes some moderate Democrats are beginning to dissent, acknowledging the “fundamental illogic” of their stance. However, he foresees layoffs as an inevitable consequence during this period, emphasizing the need to make pragmatic decisions to mitigate suffering for the public. “And that means certain people are going to have to get laid off,” Vance said, stressing the realities of government operations in a shutdown scenario.
Echoing these sentiments, the White House has clarified the stakes, asserting that every shutdown carries consequences. “The Democrats can reopen the government at any time,” stated White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, reinforcing the notion that the ball is now in the Democrats’ court as the country navigates this latest challenge.
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