US Government Shutdown After Democrats Reject Republican Funding Plan Overview The US government officially shut down on Wednesday following a legislative impasse. Democrats refused to support a Republican proposal to extend funding for federal departments unless healthcare-related concessions were met. Republicans control both the Senate and the House of Representatives and rejected these demands, resulting in a funding lapse at midnight when the Senate failed to advance funding bills from both parties. The government shutdown is the first since the 2018-19 stoppage during Trump's first term. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters Key Points The shutdown is the first in nearly seven years, following the 35-day closure starting in December 2018 during Trump's first term. Democrats aim to regain political ground after losing the majority in both chambers of Congress last year. Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans, accusing them of risking Americans' healthcare by pushing a partisan bill. House Republicans passed a funding bill extending government funding through November 21, but it requires Democratic support to clear the Senate's 60-vote threshold. Republicans blocked a Democratic proposal for funding through October with additional policy changes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Democrats of prioritizing partisan interests and risking a government shutdown. Legislative Votes and Reactions Both parties' funding bills failed in Senate votes held late Tuesday. Another voting round is scheduled for Wednesday morning aiming to persuade Democrats to reconsider. The White House threatened mass layoffs if funding lapses, with former President Trump blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Russ Vought, White House Office of Management and Budget director, blamed Democrats' “insane policy demands” in a letter to federal agency heads. Democrats demand extension of premium tax credits for ACA plans expiring at year-end, reversal of Medicaid and public media cuts, and blocking Trump's "pocket rescission" of foreign aid funding. The total cost of these demands is estimated at $1 trillion. Approximately 10 million people face losing healthcare due to Medicaid cuts and ACA changes. Without the extension of premium tax credits, health insurance premiums will increase for around 20 million people. Thune expressed openness to negotiating ACA credits only after securing initial government funding. Democratic Party Dynamics Democratic leaders hold firm on demands, but dissent exists within the party. Three Democratic senators voted for the Republican funding proposal on Tuesday, increasing from prior votes. Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso noted visible fractures within the Democratic ranks. Some Democrats broke ranks to avoid empowering the Trump administration through a shutdown. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto opposed the shutdown due to its potential harms to families. Independent Angus King, aligned with Democrats, described his vote supporting funding as difficult but necessary to limit Trump's power. John Fetterman, the sole Democrat to previously support the Republican bill, reiterated his support framing it as putting country before party. Public Opinion and Political Commentary Historically, parties initiating shutdowns fail to achieve their goals. Polls show mixed public views on the Democrats' shutdown tactics: New York Times/Siena poll: 27% support the Democrats shutting down the government; 65% oppose. Among Democrats, opinion is nearly split; a majority of independents oppose shutdown. Marist poll: 38% blame Republicans, 27% blame Democrats, 31% blame both for shutdown. Republican Senator Ted Cruz, architect of the 2013 ACA-related shutdown, dismissed Democrats’ shutdown threat as a