The U.S. federal government has now been shut down for 22 days, representing the second-longest federal funding lapse in American history.
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With no end in sight to the current stalemate in Washington, D.C., many political and market observers expect it to eventually surpass the longest ever U.S. government shutdown that lasted 35 days back in December 2018.
This means that the two longest government shutdowns in U.S. history have occurred while U.S. President Donald Trump was in the Oval Office. The current shutdown drags on as Senate Democrats demand additional healthcare spending be included in any legislation designed to provide short-term funding to the federal government.
Digging In
Specifically, Democrats are demanding an extension of enhanced tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, without which health insurance premiums for millions of Americans could rise in 2026. Those tax credits are set to expire at the end of this year.
Republicans have accused Democrats of holding the government hostage and have refused to negotiate on healthcare issues until the shutdown is over. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. But 60 votes are needed to pass any funding bill. A stopgap funding resolution has now failed to pass in the Senate 11 consecutive times.
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