It has been 38 days since the government shutdown began, creating a travel nightmare for many Americans. At the country’s busiest airports, the Federal Aviation Administration is cutting flights. While the overall cuts might have started small, there is talk of even larger cuts if a deal isn’t reached soon to bring the shutdown to an end. Thousands of flights have already been delayed or canceled, leaving travelers stranded and frustrated. Despite the chaos, one can’t help but notice that some planes seemingly aren’t affected, such as those whisking conservative commentators from New York City back to Texas.
In the midst of this turbulence—both on the ground and in the air—the Republicans are working tirelessly to broker a deal to end the shutdown. Meanwhile, Democrats seem more preoccupied with salvaging their precious “brand.” It’s a classic case of political posturing versus practical problem-solving. The Democrats appear to be on a vanity voyage, worried about their image and potential repercussions in the next election cycle. Heaven forbid they get their hands dirty in the messy business of governance when there’s branding to be done.
Over in the Senate, Majority Leader John is not amused. He’s fiercely championing a proposal aimed at addressing the dire concerns of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. Yet, somehow, this earnest endeavor gets twisted into a tiresome leverage game by the opposition. To the everyday American, trying to pay rent or buy groceries, it looks a lot more like common sense and compassion than political leverage.
Now, in a move that screams “déjà vu,” Chuck Schumer is trying to revive the worn-out Obamacare shtick, presenting it as a magical solution to the government’s funding impasse. Tacking on a one-year extension of the ACA tax credits to a continuing resolution is their golden ticket. While some Democrats might get a nostalgic thrill from revisiting this “oldie but goodie,” others must wonder if it’s really the best they’ve got. After all, when one fights tooth and nail for a sinking ship, it’s no wonder that a touch of desperation might lend itself to quirky demands, like needing agreements inked in “blood.”
President Trump has had enough. He calls for an end to negotiations, the government shutdown, and notably, the filibuster. Trump suggests that nuking the filibuster removes the need for a supermajority vote, making it easier to pass legislative measures. His logic is brutally straightforward: If Democrats would do it in a heartbeat when in power, why shouldn’t Republicans consider it now? In this game of political chess, patience can only stretch so far before strategy demands decisive action.
