The government shutdown is less than a week from breaking the record as the longest in US history. As economic pain points begin to mount, President Trump has called for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster to force an end to the shutdown.
“THE CHOICE IS CLEAR — INITIATE THE ‘NUCLEAR OPTION,’” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Trump’s call throws a potential wrench into GOP leaders’ carefully laid plans. Both parties have, in recent years, taken steps to erode the filibuster, a Senate rule that requires most legislation to abide by a 60-vote threshold. But both parties have stopped short of eliminating the rule, fearing repercussions upon losing control of the chamber.
Trump’s comments also came amid whispers on Capitol Hill that negotiations could finally be in the offing.
In focus before lawmakers return next week are Trump administration plans to not fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — also known as food stamps — starting this weekend.
Those benefits are received by roughly one in eight Americans, with the economic and human costs of a cutoff likely to mount quickly. A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from suspending those benefits, though it is likely to face appeal.
Also this week, air traffic controllers became the latest group of federal workers to go without pay. They missed their first full paycheck on Tuesday as flight interruptions continue to spread.
Active duty members of the military, who have paychecks due at the end of the month, appear set for a reprieve after Vice President JD Vance said the Trump administration will likely find money to make this payment.
Democrats, meanwhile, are focused on another deadline this coming weekend when they hope the political pressure on Republicans will increase.
Saturday is the beginning of an open enrollment period for healthcare programs run by Affordable Care Act exchanges. Premium increases there — with Democrats looking to extend enhanced government subsidies for those plans — are at the heart of the impasse.
