In brief
With the US government shutdown nearing its third day, President Trump has tasked his budget director with identifying 'Democrat Agencies' to cut, amid a contentious blame game between Republicans and Democrats. While the shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers on unpaid leave, neither party seems willing to budge on funding negotiations, with healthcare subsidies remaining a key sticking point. Critics warn that the response from everyday Americans may escalate as they begin to feel the effects of the shutdown.
President Donald Trump has said he and his budget director will work out which 'Democrat Agencies' to cut as the US government shutdown approached its third day. He suggested Republicans should seize the opportunity to 'clear out dead wood' and gave no hint of concessions to Democratic demands that legislation funding the government should include healthcare insurance subsidies.Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill, meanwhile, continued to blame each other for failing to keep federal agencies open. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are staying home, while others worked without pay. Some federal attractions closed to visitors while others, including the Statue of Liberty, stayed open.Analysts don't expect either side to budge without pressure from everyday Americans, most of whom have yet to feel direct impacts on their lives. With Congress failing to keep the US government open, the director of the Office of Management and Budget will work with the president to determine which government activities should continue or halt.Amidst press conferences from both parties on Capitol Hill, neither side seemed willing to negotiate. As temporary closures impact federal services, over 200,000 essential employees are continuing to work without pay, raising questions about public safety and service delivery. The necessity for collaboration is crucial if federal offices are to reopen, yet political divisions remain stark, with both Democrats and Republicans exchanging accusations over the cause of the shutdown.
