U.S. Government shutdown under Trump poised to break record

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson warned on 13th October that the ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown could become the longest in American history.

He declared that he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they pause their health care demands and reopen the Government, as reported by The New Arab via AP on 14th October.

Standing alone at the Capitol on the 13th day of the shutdown, Johnson said he was unaware of the details behind the thousands of federal workers being fired by the Trump administration — a move many have described as a bid to shrink the size of government amid fiscal standoffs.

Vice President JD Vance has cautioned of “painful” cuts ahead, even as employee unions file lawsuits to contest the dismissals. “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” said Johnson of Louisiana.

The shutdown has paralyzed routine federal operations, shuttering Smithsonian museums, national landmarks, and other cultural institutions, while flight disruptions ripple through major airports. Economists warn that the impasse injects fresh instability into an already fragile economy, echoing Maghrebi.org’s coverage of the U.S. federal shutdown and looming layoffs.

With Congress deadlocked, Johnson has refused to recall House lawmakers to Washington. The Senate returns on 14th October after the federal holiday, but efforts to advance negotiations have repeatedly failed as Democrats hold firm on extending health care subsidies.

Johnson thanked President Donald Trump for ensuring military personnel are paid this week, eliminating one major pressure point that might otherwise have forced talks. The Coast Guard will also receive pay, a senior official confirmed on 13th October, though many civilian workers remain unpaid.

At the heart of the dispute is the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — and specifically, the Obamacare subsidies that allow millions to afford insurance. Democrats are demanding an extension, while Republicans insist the issue can wait until after the government reopens.

The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that monthly health insurance premiums could double if Congress fails to renew subsidy payments expiring December 31. For government workers on monthly pay schedules, November will bring the first missed paychecks — amplifying public frustration.

Johnson acknowledged the GOP’s past failures to repeal Obamacare. “Can we completely repeal and replace Obamacare? Many of us are skeptical about that now because the roots are so deep,” he said.

The longest prior shutdown lasted 35 days during Trump’s first term over his border wall funding demands. Now, as the Trump administration wields broad authority to determine who gets paid, critics warn of uneven financial priorities.

The Pentagon confirmed it has reallocated $8 billion in unused R&D funds to cover military payroll, even as departments such as Education face deep disruptions. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) suggested that mandatory funding from the 2025 reconciliation act could sustain certain agencies temporarily — though uncertainty remains high.

The stalemate underscores how partisan battles over spending and health care continue to define U.S. politics, reflecting what Maghrebi.org describes as the deepening divide driving the current federal shutdown.

The New Arab via AP News, Maghrebi.org