Shutdown Enters Second Week Over ACA Dispute

A U.S. government shutdown has entered its second week with no agreement between President Trump’s Republicans and Senate Democrats over a stopgap funding bill, while the House remains largely out of session. Democrats are withholding the few votes Republicans need unless expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies are extended, and Republicans insist funding be restored first as Senate leaders prepare another likely-failing vote. The White House has threatened mass firings and OMB Director Russ Vought has canceled grants and projects, moves that have contributed to widespread agency furloughs and canceled local projects. Essential programs from food assistance to EPA, NASA, education and research have been hit, and analysts warn military pay could be missed starting Oct. 15 and that prolonged deadlock would raise health-care costs and harm contractors and household finances. Many observers expect the standoff to stretch into mid-October or beyond unless leaders agree on ACA-subsidy extensions or other concessions.