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The United States is facing a new political and administrative crisis with the partial shutdown of its federal government, which has already lasted over two weeks and threatens to become the longest in the country's history, as warned on Monday by the Republican Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We are heading towards one of the longest shutdowns in the history of the United States”, Johnson stated, as the stalemate in Congress continues and the uncertainty deepens for millions of citizens who rely on government services and subsidies.
The current government shutdown, driven by a dispute between Republicans and Democrats regarding the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), has rendered several agencies inactive and has left tens of thousands of federal employees without pay.
Unlike previous shutdowns, this time the administration of President Donald Trump is using the pause to carry out massive layoffs and cuts in multiple departments, a move that has led to legal actions from unions and criticism even within the Republican Party itself.
A paralyzed parliament and a leader who refuses to negotiate
Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana and one of President Trump's closest allies, has made it clear that he will not call for new legislative sessions or negotiate with Democrats until they abandon their healthcare-related demands.
In statements to the press, Johnson stated: “We are heading toward one of the longest shutdowns in U.S. history, unless the Democrats abandon their partisan demands and approve a clean, unconditional budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers.”
The House of Representatives has not been in session since July 3, accumulating only 20 working days in over three months.
This inactivity contrasts with the gravity of the moment, especially as the Senate, which returned this Tuesday from a holiday recess, continues to unsuccessfully vote on temporary bills to end the shutdown.
Meanwhile, the elected Democratic representative, Adelita Grijalva, has been unable to take her seat due to a blockade in the House, which is also preventing progress on a key voting request regarding the disclosure of files in the Epstein case. This has been interpreted by some critics as a maneuver to conceal sensitive information.
Obamacare at the center of the conflict
The government shutdown is centered around the disagreement over federal subsidies for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.
This state assistance, upon which more than 24 million Americans depend, expires on December 31, and its renewal is a priority for the Democrats.
The Republicans, for their part, are seeking to separate the issue of budget negotiations, arguing that it can be discussed later, a stance that has been heavily criticized.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, if Congress does not take action, health insurance premiums could double starting January 2026.
“Can we completely repeal and replace Obamacare? Many of us are skeptical about that now because the roots are very deep,” Johnson himself admitted on Monday, acknowledging that his party will hardly be able to eliminate the law, as Trump attempted to do in 2017 without success.
Despite this, the Republican leader insists that "one does not negotiate with hostages" and demands that the government be reopened first before addressing the health issue, a tactic that, according to analysts, could impact millions before any agreement is reached.
Real impact: Employees without salaries and services suspended
The impact of the closure is extensive, affecting everything from museums to airports.
The Smithsonian Institution closed its 21 museums and the National Zoo, leaving millions of visitors without access to these cultural spaces.
Airport operations are being impacted by the lack of personnel, while federal employees on a monthly salary will not receive their next payment.
The Pentagon reported that it was able to pay military personnel using $8 billion in unused research and development funds, temporarily easing a potential crisis in the defense sector.
It was also confirmed that the Coast Guard will continue to receive their salary.
However, departments such as Education are among the hardest hit, with disruptions in special education and extracurricular programs.
The Congressional Budget Office has indicated that other mandatory funds could be used to cover essential activities, but the outlook is uncertain.
"The government could also decide to use mandatory funds provided in the 2025 reconciliation law," explained the Office, mentioning Defense, Treasury, and Homeland Security as agencies that still have resources available.
The Political Dimension: Trump, Unions, and Republican Strategy
President Donald Trump has endorsed his party's strategy and personally ordered that available funds be used to pay the troops.
“I will not allow the Democrats to take our Armed Forces hostage”, he wrote on his social media Truth Social.
Vice President J.D. Vance warned of "painful" cuts, while government employee unions have filed lawsuits to halt what they consider arbitrary layoffs.
From the opposition, Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the power vacuum in the House: "They are nowhere to be found."
Senator Chuck Schumer accused Johnson of prioritizing Trump's interests over those of the American people.
A risky political move
At the electoral level, Republicans are facing pressure due to the perception of inaction.
As MSNBC pointed out, "only 20 days of session in over three months is an astonishingly low figure," which could turn into a double-edged sword for the party.
While Republican leaders insist that it is the Senate's responsibility to take action, Democrats and analysts agree that keeping the shutdown in place until the end of October could lead to significant increases in health insurance premiums, loss of services, and overall economic damage.
What's next?
The next key moment will be November 1, when the open enrollment period for health insurance begins.
If an agreement has not been reached by then, millions of people will have to make decisions without knowing if they will receive government assistance.
Moreover, if the shutdown extends beyond 35 days -the current record set during Trump's presidency in 2019- Johnson will have achieved the dubious honor of leading the longest shutdown in American history.
Tension rises as Congress proves unable to make progress, and citizens face the real consequences of an institutional paralysis that seems endless.
Frequently Asked Questions about the U.S. Government Shutdown.
Why did the shutdown of the U.S. government occur in 2025?
The closure of the U.S. government in 2025 is due to the lack of agreement between Democrats and Republicans regarding the federal budget, primarily concerning the health subsidies of the Obamacare program. The conflict has centered on the differences over whether to maintain certain subsidies and reductions in public spending driven by President Donald Trump.
What are the consequences of the U.S. government shutdown for federal employees?
During the government shutdown, hundreds of thousands of federal employees have been left without pay, and many have been temporarily furloughed. Non-essential services have been halted, impacting a wide range of programs and public services across the country.
How does the government shutdown affect essential public services in the U.S.?
Essential public services, such as border security, armed forces, and air traffic control, continue to operate, although their employees are working without receiving their salary. However, other services, such as food assistance and federally funded education, have faced significant disruptions.
What is the impact of the government shutdown on healthcare under Obamacare?
The government shutdown has put at risk the renewal of subsidies for healthcare under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), which more than 24 million Americans depend on. If an agreement is not reached, health insurance premiums could double, severely affecting low-income families.
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