Senate Democrats successfully blocked another attempt by Republicans to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has now entered its 28th day. On March 12, 2024, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota sought to advance a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) but was rebuffed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and the Democratic caucus.
The failure to reopen the government has severe consequences. Air traffic controllers missed their first paycheck due to the shutdown, and military personnel are set to miss their first full payday on March 15, 2024. Furthermore, looming deadlines threaten federal nutrition benefits, with funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at risk of disruption on the same day that open enrollment for Obamacare begins.
In the midst of this impasse, some Republicans are exploring alternative legislative measures to fund specific sectors, including provisions for military personnel and air traffic controllers. Despite these discussions, Thune expressed skepticism about the likelihood of piecemeal solutions gaining traction. “There’s not a high level of interest in doing carve-outs or so-called rifle shots,” he noted, emphasizing that the best path forward is to collectively work towards reopening the government.
Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin are among those proposing targeted bills to address specific funding needs. Cruz expressed hope that his bill addressing air traffic controller pay would receive a vote. Johnson, who has been working on a compromise measure with Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, acknowledged the challenges in garnering support. “I want to make this permanent. Let’s stop, again, let’s take the ability to punish federal employees because of our dysfunction away forever,” he stated.
Schumer criticized Republicans for what he termed an ineffective approach to the shutdown. He attributed the lack of progress to President Donald Trump being overseas and reiterated that Democrats are insisting on a comprehensive deal to extend expiring Obamacare subsidies. “It’s a partisan bill and does nothing to solve the [Obamacare] crisis,” Schumer remarked, emphasizing that Democrats seek to lower healthcare costs, a sentiment echoed by a significant portion of American voters, including nearly 60% of those who supported Trump.
As lawmakers continue to navigate this political stalemate, the impact of the shutdown is increasingly felt by federal workers and essential services. The urgency to resolve the situation grows as key funding deadlines approach and the consequences of inaction become more pronounced.
