Hey fam, the US government shutdown is on the brink of making history 🎯 — and not in a good way. The Senate just failed to pass a budget bill for the 14th time, meaning the shutdown could soon outdo the 35-day record from 2018-19. Yikes!
Here's what's happening:
- Senate votes stall: Republicans voted 54-44 on a "clean" continuing resolution to keep funding till Nov 21, but needed 60 votes to beat a Senate rule called a filibuster (basically, you need a supermajority).
- Economic hit: If this drags on for 8 weeks, the US economy could lose around $14 billion, says the Congressional Budget Office.
- Service disruptions: Sectors like aviation ✈️, food assistance 🍲, and health care 🏥 are already feeling the pinch. For example, SNAP (food stamps) is running on emergency funds, and half of the benefits might be delayed.
Meanwhile, both sides are pointing fingers:
🔵 Senate Majority Leader John Thune slammed Democrats for "letting every day get worse for the American people."
🔴 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer blamed Republicans for looming health care price hikes as open enrollment for ACA plans kicked off on Nov 1.
The politics aside, millions of Americans are stressed — over 42 million depend on SNAP, and millions more worry about health care costs. A recent Gallup poll shows Congress approval at just 15 percent, while 79 percent disapprove of how leaders are handling things. As political science pro Chris Galdieri puts it, "Nobody is happy with the shutdown or with either party."
Stay tuned as this saga unfolds — we'll keep you posted on what it means for your wallet and daily life! ✌️
Reference(s):
U.S. govt shutdown to break record as Senate fails to pass bill again
cgtn.com
