Sit back, relax, this government shutdown might take a while
Washington readies for a prolonged budget battle
With around 800,000 federal employees out of work, national parks closed, and the debt ceiling looming, how long can this government shutdown last?
Democrats have shown no sign that they are willing to delay or defund the president's signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act, in exchange for Republicans agreeing to a federal spending bill. Meanwhile, internal divisions in the GOP have been widening since the shutdown began.
Nevertheless, don't expect the GOP to throw in the towel anytime soon, says the National Review's Robert Costa:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
How long, exactly, are Republicans planning to keep fighting? History says it might take a while. There have been 17 funding gaps since 1976, with the longest taking 21 days to resolve.
That was back in 1995 to 1996, when President Bill Clinton clashed with House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.). Today, House Republicans represent districts that are more reliably red than in the '90s — meaning they fear conservative primary challengers more than they do Democrats in a general election.
That means they don't have an incentive to end this anytime soon, nor should they, according to Weekly Standard editor William Kristol.
"So the GOP's agenda for the rest of this week (and maybe until the debt limit deadline of October 17) is pretty simple: Stand pat on the shutdown, don't panic because of media hype or a few snap polls," he wrote.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Yesterday, NBC News' Chuck Todd predicted that House Republicans would probably take that advice:
ABC News' Jonathan Karl agrees that the budget battle will last all week — and possibly longer. House Republicans are also digging in for a long fight, although they are blaming the Democratic-controlled Senate for refusing to set up a conference committee to discuss possible changes to ObamaCare.
"Think about it — if they decided they were ready to talk by next week, you're not going to negotiate the thing overnight," Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif.) told the National Review. "It's going to take a little time."
The president seems resigned to the fact that this might drag on, canceling his scheduled trip next week to the Philippines and Malaysia. While it's not clear just how long the government shutdown will last, one thing is for sure: The American people want it to end.
If Washington doesn't agree on a spending bill by Oct. 17 — when the federal government is expected to hit its borrowing limit — the result could be worse than furloughed workers and angry voters. It could mean irrevocable damage to the U.S. economy.
Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.
-
5 ladylike cartoons about women's role in the election
Cartoons Artists take on the political gender gap, Lady Liberty, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The right to die: what can we learn from other countries?
The Explainer A look at the world's assisted dying laws as MPs debate Kim Leadbeater's proposed bill
By The Week Published
-
Volkswagen on the ropes: a crisis of its own making
Talking Point The EV revolution has 'left VW in the proverbial dust'
By The Week UK Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published