Trump Holds Position as U.S. Shutdown Reaches Sixth Week Without Pay for Workers
The United States government shutdown has entered its sixth week, leaving millions of federal employees without salaries and increasing pressure on Congress to find a way out of the political standoff in Washington. The prolonged halt in government operations has already disrupted key public services, with reports indicating flight cancellations and delays in crucial food assistance programs.
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of flights were grounded last week because of staffing shortages, while the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has begun slowing payments to millions of low-income households. Economists warn that the longer the shutdown continues, the wider its impact will spread across local communities and the national economy.
Senators returned to the Capitol over the weekend for the first time since the shutdown began, attempting to revive negotiations. However, bipartisan talks have done little to close the divide. President Donald Trump has refused to shift his position, insisting on his policy demands as the price for reopening the government. In a social media post on Saturday, he criticized the current healthcare system and suggested direct financial support for insurance, a stance that complicates efforts to reach a compromise with Democrats who favor a different approach.
Democratic leaders have put forward a proposal to reopen federal agencies, offering a one-year extension of tax credits under the Affordable Care Act as part of a broader deal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said the plan is a straightforward path to ending the shutdown, arguing that Republicans need only accept the terms. The response from Republican lawmakers has been muted, with some moderates exploring alternative ideas that would restore funding to certain agencies with a guarantee of a future debate over healthcare reform.
Even if such a partial agreement gains momentum, it remains unclear whether it would win the support of the White House. Vice President JD Vance has publicly backed ending the Senate filibuster to advance the administration’s priorities without Democratic votes, underscoring the deep partisan divisions that have stalled progress. As the shutdown stretches on, the political stakes are rising and there is little indication that either side is ready to retreat from its position.
