U.S. Government Shutdown Reaches Day 22, Second-Longest on Record

Overview

• Senate Republicans met at the White House to project unity, and President Donald Trump said he will only engage with Democrats after the government reopens.
• Democrats continue to block short-term funding bills without guarantees to extend ACA subsidies, rejecting Republican proposals 11 times despite GOP control of Congress.
• The National Nuclear Security Administration began temporarily furloughing about 1,400 federal employees, leaving fewer than 400 to maintain the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
• Senate staff pay for the first half of October was suspended, with wages to be restored three business days after the shutdown ends, while members of Congress continue to be paid.
• A Reuters/Ipsos poll finds 50% of Americans blame Republican congressional leaders for the shutdown, 43% blame Democrats, and reported effects include funding strain on programs such as WIC and rising worker uncertainty.