Historic government shutdown in the US enters its 36th day

The failure to reach a consensus in Congress on the temporary budget required to fund federal agencies in the US has caused the government to remain shut down for 36 days. This situation has been recorded as the "longest government shutdown" in the country's history.

Although the House of Representatives passed a temporary budget on September 19 that would have funded the government until November 21, an agreement could not be reached between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. Because the bill did not pass the Senate by September 30, when the fiscal year ended, the government lost its spending authority as of October 1 and officially shut down.

With federal agencies left without a budget, salary payments for employees have stopped; serious disruptions have begun to occur in food assistance, childcare funds, and many other services.

WARNING OF CHAOS IN AVIATION

US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said that if the shutdown continues, air traffic could be severely disrupted. In his statement, Duffy criticized the Democrats, saying, "If you extend this for another week, you will see major chaos. You will see mass flight delays, mass cancellations. You might see us closing parts of the airspace because we cannot manage it without our air traffic controllers."

Due to the shutdown, approximately 13 thousand air traffic controllers continue to work without receiving pay.

LOW-INCOME AMERICANS IN DIFFICULT SITUATION

The budget impasse is also deeply affecting low-income Americans who rely on assistance. One in every eight people in the US is dependent on food support provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, due to funding cuts, only a portion of the aid can be paid this month.

WHY ARE TEMPORARY BUDGETS CRITICAL?

In the US, the fiscal year begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. If Congress does not approve the budget by this date, the government must manage the process with temporary budgets. In periods when a temporary budget is also not accepted, the government loses its spending authority and is forced to halt many non-essential activities.

During this process, while employees in vital services do not receive their salaries until a new budget is enacted, public personnel in non-essential areas are placed on mandatory leave.

HEALTHCARE SPENDING AT THE CENTER OF THE CRISIS

Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, needed the support of Democrats because they did not have the 60 votes required for a temporary budget in the Senate. Democrats, for their part, made the extension of health insurance subsidies and the cessation of social spending cuts a condition.

Republicans did not back down, arguing that these demands would make access to healthcare services more difficult. Democrats emphasize that they will not vote for the budget without reaching a compromise that allows millions of citizens to access healthcare services.

On the other hand, it is stated that some moderate Democrats and Republicans are open to reaching an agreement before "Thanksgiving" on November 27.

The previous longest shutdown in the country occurred during the Donald Trump administration in the 2018-2019 period and lasted 35 days.

News Source: İHA