On Tuesday, October 28th, as the US federal government shutdown entered its 28th day, the Senate failed for the thirteenth time to pass a temporary funding bill, causing the shutdown to linger on. Concerns are mounting as federal employees are unable to receive pay and low-income Americans are experiencing disruptions in food assistance programs.
The vote on the funding bill proposed by Republicans to end the government shutdown resulted in a 54 to 45 outcome, falling short of the Senate rule’s requirement of 60 votes to end debate and proceed to the final vote. Democrats insist that Republicans must first reach a consensus on healthcare proposals before they are willing to reopen the government. In contrast, Republicans advocate for a simple extension of the current federal funding plan to keep the government operating until spending legislation for 2026 is passed.
Meanwhile, many federal employees did not receive their full salaries as expected on the previous weekend of October 24th. Approximately 700,000 federal employees have been furloughed without pay.
Key personnel, including federal law enforcement officers and air traffic controllers, are working without pay.
1.1 million military personnel may not receive their wages by October 31st. Previously, soldiers received their pay on October 15th after the Trump administration authorized the use of funds dedicated to military research and development for their salaries.
At noon that day, Vice President Vance went to the Capitol to have lunch with Senate Republicans. Republicans are considering whether to continue advancing measures to potentially pay certain federal workers during the shutdown or fund programs like SNAP.
With SNAP funds projected to run out by the end of October, millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance. More federal workers are unable to receive their first full paycheck. Airport delays disrupt travel plans, prompting calls from various quarters to end this second-longest government shutdown in history.
The largest federal employee union in the US, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), urged Congress on October 27th to pass a funding bill immediately and ensure workers receive full back pay, intensifying pressure on lawmakers to swiftly end the impasse.
Everett Kelley, President of the American Federation of Government Employees, stated in a release that both parties have indicated their positions, asserting, “It is time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown now.”
The union wields significant political influence among Democratic lawmakers. Kelley emphasized, “No more half measures, no more strategic games. End this shutdown today!”
The government shutdown began on October 1st and is the second-longest shutdown in US history.