US government shut down last night at midnight Eastern time. The Republicans want to pass a stopgap measure to continue funding for another seven weeks. The Republicans need 60 votes in the Senate for this to pass. There are 53 Republican senators. They need seven Democrat senators to vote with them, for the stop gap measure to go through
It seems like an easy matter. The Democrats just have to approve the stop gap measure. The government stays open for another seven weeks. However, the Democrats are demanding that Obama care subsidies, that were put in place in 2021, during the Covid crisis, be extended beyond the end of the year when they are scheduled to run out. The subsidies were put in place to make Obama care, more accessible and affordable to lower and middle class Americans. Should these subsidies die at the end of the year, premiums are predicted to shoot up by 75% in 2026.
Donald Trump all along has wanted Obama care to die. This is one way that he could achieve his goal.
So now, as the shutdown begins, this is turned into a media war. Who will win the media war? Who will be blamed the most for the shutdown?
Of the seven Democrat senators needed by Republicans to achieve the 60 vote goal, two have already indicated that they would support the Republican measure. It is said that two more are leaning. That would bring the total number up to 57. Trump is certain that enough pressure will be bought to bear that he will find three more senators to bring the vote total up to 60.
Meanwhile, Trump has threatened thousands of layoffs and firings in the public service, to add pressure. So now the waiting game begins.
That is all I have for today.