Government Shutdown Becomes Second-Longest In US History: 4 Things To Know

The government shutdown, starting October 1st, has become the second-longest in U.S. history. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked, with Sen. Merkley protesting the Trump administration's policies on the Senate floor. The current funding lapse-caused shutdowns, which started in the early 1980s, are a relatively recent phenomenon. Previous shutdowns were less impactful due to different legal interpretations regarding agency operations during funding gaps. Both sides are blaming each other for the ongoing failure to reach an agreement about reopening the government. Republicans assert they won’t be "extorted" and Democrats want to address Affordable Care Act subsidies. Negotiations between Trump and Democrats haven’t happened because Trump is unwilling to meet before the government reopens. Federal workers have been furloughed while the administration seeks to dismiss thousands of others, facing legal challenges. The shutdown threatens vital programs like SNAP, potentially impacting payments starting in November.