The shutdown began on October 1 as a result of political gridlock in the Senate. The dispute concerned health insurance subsidies, which were expiring this year. Democrats sought to extend them, while Republicans — who had a majority in Congress — vehemently opposed it. It was only on November 10 that the deadlock was broken, when several Democratic senators and one independent voted to end the shutdown together with the Republicans.
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The Senate passed a bill aimed at protecting federal workers laid off during the government shutdown and preventing future job cuts by President Donald Trump's administration. However, the issue of subsidies for health insurance premiums, a key issue for Democrats, was postponed until later. Republicans have only pledged to consider the matter in December. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson admitted on CNN that the Senate voted on a solution that Republicans had already proposed “a few weeks ago.”
After the Senate passed the bill, the provisional bill was sent to the House of Representatives, whose members were summoned to Washington for a vote. According to The Hill, Republicans still need to gain the support of several centrist Democrats to secure victory.
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The government shutdown had serious consequences for citizens. At least 750,000 were sent on leave without pay. federal employees, including air traffic controllers, the Coast Guard, and national parks personnel. The Trump administration only provided pay to military, law enforcement and immigration officers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun limiting the number of flights at major airports such as those in Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Washington. In the period from October 30 to November 9, as many as 4,162 flights were canceled, which significantly hampered travel. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned at a news conference in Chicago that it could take time for the aviation system to return to normal even if the government reopens this week.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that permanent losses to the economy will amount to $11 billion, or 0.03 percent. American GDP, estimated at USD 29.6-30.5 trillion. If the shutdown was extended for another two weeks, losses would increase to $14 billion.
The government shutdown also had an impact on public opinion. According to an Associated Press-NORC poll, 60 percent Americans blame Trump and the Republicans for the situation, and 54 percent also Democrats. The liberal Washington Post points to a “split” in the Democratic Party, while the Republican-affiliated website National Review called the shutdown “stupid and unnecessary.”
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The history of shutdowns in the US shows that they have occurred under both Democratic and Republican administrations. The longest government shutdown in history, lasting 35 days, occurred during Trump's first presidency and cost the economy $3 billion.
