US Government Shutdown Enters 30th Day

The U.S. government is experiencing its second-longest shutdown, with Congress failing to pass a bill to fund the government temporarily. The shutdown has resulted in 670,000 federal employees being furloughed, 730,000 working without pay, and 42 million Americans losing food stamp benefits. The Senate has voted 13 times on a resolution to fund the government, but it has failed to advance due to the filibuster rule requiring a 60-vote threshold. The shutdown is estimated to cost the economy at least $7 billion.

The US federal government is shut down, causing disruptions to various services and benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Millions of Americans are at risk of losing food aid, with many food banks and pantries preparing for a surge in demand. The shutdown has also affected federal workers, with many furloughed or working without pay. The Trump administration and Congressional Democrats are at odds over the shutdown, with Democrats suing the USDA over the suspension of SNAP benefits. A federal judge has halted some layoffs, but the shutdown continues with no clear resolution in sight.

President Donald Trump is calling on the Senate to scrap the filibuster to end the ongoing government shutdown. The shutdown, now in its 30th day, has resulted in furloughed federal workers, shuttered programs, and disruptions to various services. Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, urging the Senate to 'initiate the nuclear option' and get rid of the filibuster. The filibuster requires 60 votes to overcome, giving Democrats a check on the Republican majority. Trump's call has sparked debate, with some lawmakers expressing support, while others are skeptical. The shutdown is expected to continue into the next week, with the next inflection point coming after Tuesday's off-year elections.

President Trump is calling on Senate Republicans to invoke the 'nuclear option' to end the ongoing government shutdown by changing Senate rules to allow legislation to pass with a simple majority vote. Trump made this demand in a series of Truth Social posts, arguing that the current 60-vote threshold is preventing Republicans from advancing a short-term continuing resolution to fund the government. He claimed that Democrats are 'crazed lunatics' who have lost all sense of 'wisdom and reality' and that their demands to reopen the government would 'hurt American citizens.' Trump suggested that if Democrats were able to pass legislation via a simple majority, they would 'substantially expand the United States Supreme Court, make Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico States, and many other highly destructive things.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune has pledged to preserve the filibuster, but Trump argued that it is now time for Republicans to 'play their TRUMP CARD' and get rid of it.