President Donald Trump has stated he and his budget director will determine which Democrat Agencies to cut as the U.S. government shutdown approaches its third day.
Trump has suggested that Republicans should take this opportunity to clear out dead wood and has made no indication of compromise on Democratic demands regarding healthcare insurance subsidies.
Meanwhile, both parties in Congress are engaged in a blame game over the failure to keep federal agencies operational.
In recent developments, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are either staying home or working without pay. While some federal attractions have closed to the public, others, like the Statue of Liberty, remain accessible.
Analysts, meanwhile, do not foresee changes from either side without public pressure triggered by direct, personal effects of the shutdown.
The meeting scheduled between Trump and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, aims to address the implications of the ongoing shutdown, including which federal activities will face interruptions.
In the face of increasing tensions, both parties are standing firm, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling the situation a Democrat shutdown and opposing any addition of insurance subsidies, while Democratic leaders, such as Hakeem Jeffries, are accusing Republicans of neglecting healthcare needs.
The ramifications of this shutdown could lead to significant disruptions, as an estimated 750,000 federal workers are expected to face unpaid leave, and essential services are operating but without compensation for employees.
As the political stalemate continues, the pressure mounts for lawmakers to negotiate a resolution, aiming to pass legislation that reopens the government.
