US Government Shutdown Enters Third Week Amid Healthcare and Paycheck Deadlocks
As the US government shutdown enters its third week, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle remain locked in a bitter standoff over healthcare policy and the payment of federal workers, with no clear resolution in sight.
Background and Context
The shutdown began after Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on federal funding for part of the fiscal year 2026. The GOP proposed a simple extension of FY2025 funding through November 21, while Democrats insisted on significant healthcare reforms as a condition for any funding bill. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., accused Democrats of undermining healthcare access by prolonging the shutdown, a claim echoed in a GOP report alleging Democrats were trying to undermine
U.S. healthcare.
Key Developments
Amid the deadlock, the Trump administration has taken steps to ensure military personnel receive their paychecks, while also beginning to lay off federal workers. This move has been met with resistance from Congressional Democrats from Maryland and Virginia, who have threatened to sue over the firings and the potential lack of back pay for furloughed workers.
Democrats have also launched a legislative bid to protect funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, a key nutritional support scheme for low-income women and children. In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Trump has authorized a plan to use tariff revenue to keep the WIC program running during the shutdown.
The shutdown has already had significant impacts on air travel, with over 9,000 flights canceled or delayed due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, who are deemed essential
workers and must continue working without pay.
Implications and Reactions
The shutdown's repercussions are being felt keenly by rural hospitals and veterans' care services. The potential for WIC program funding to run out and the threatened lack of back pay for furloughed workers have further heightened tensions.
President Trump has blamed Democrats for the shutdown, threatening to cut Democrat programs
that his administration disagrees with. Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson has refused to negotiate with Senate Democrats, accusing them of playing games ahead of the Senate's scheduled funding vote.
Current Status
As the shutdown drags on, senators have once again rejected competing bills to restart funding. The stalemate shows no signs of ending soon, with neither side appearing willing to concede. The deadlock has forced offices, national parks, and other federal government operations to close or curtail operations, and further disruptions are expected next week when military personnel and other federal workers may not receive their paychecks unless the government reopens.