Trump, back from a weeklong trip in Asia, will have to confront how to handle deepening impacts from the shutdown on Americans.
President Donald Trump, back from a weeklong diplomatic trip to Asia, asserted himself into the shutdown fight in Washington overnight with a call on Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster and unilaterally reopen the government.
The request to change the traditional rule, though, was quickly rebuffed by Majority Leader John Thune.
That means the stalemate between Republicans and Democrats continues with no obvious end in sight. If not resolved before Wednesday, it will become the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
A new poll from ABC News/ /Ipsos found more Americans blame Trump and the Republicans in Congress than the Democrats for the shutdown.
It remains to be seen whether Trump becomes more personally involved in ending the impasse as the political risk grow, especially as Americans seriously begin to feel and see the impacts, including lines at food banks and aviation delays.
On Saturday, the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is set to lapse. That means roughly 42 million Americans who rely on the food stamp program will be vulnerable as they’re unable to get benefits.
Saturday also marks the start of open enrollment for Affordable Cart Act recipients, many of whom are facing much higher insurance premiums next year due to expiring tax credits.
Democrats are demanding President Trump and Republicans work with them to extend the ACA subsidies. Trump and Republican say they won’t negotiate until the government is reopened.
