Government Shutdown Over Obamacare Subsidies: A Standoff Over Health Care and Economics The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is underway, with no end in sight.
At the heart of the impasse lies a contentious debate over Obamacare subsidies, pitting House Speaker Mike Johnson against firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Democrats against Republicans.
The shutdown, now in its 13th day, is on track to surpass the 34-day record set during President Trump's first term.
Speaker Johnson has attempted to court Greene, inviting her to help tackle the Obamacare subsidies issue following her public revolt against the GOP's shutdown strategy. Greene has called for the enhanced Obamacare subsidies to be extended.
Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have urged their counterparts to reopen the government, arguing that the shutdown sends the "wrong message." The economic impact of the shutdown is becoming increasingly apparent.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that the shutdown is starting to harm the U.S. economy, with mass layoffs, stalled flights, and mounting economic strain. Some media outlets have been accused of downplaying the shutdown's economic impact. At the center of the dispute are waste and fraud allegations surrounding the health care subsidies. Sen.
JD Vance has criticized both Democrats and Republicans, stating that waste and fraud plague the health care subsidies at the core of the shutdown. As the shutdown drags on, some lawmakers are beginning to settle scores over war policy.
Right-wing MKs who opposed the deal with Hamas say this isn't victory in Gaza, while left-wing Yair Golan blasts the government for 'abandoning' the hostages in the first place. The Treasury is shuffling funds to ensure troops receive their pay during the shutdown.
However, the economic fallout and potential damage to the military's morale are significant concerns.
In an unrelated development, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to regulate artificial intelligence chatbots, raising questions about the potential misuse of AI technology.
Sources:
- NYPost: [Speaker Johnson tries to court MTG](https://nypost.com/2025/10/13/us-news/speaker-johnson-tries-to-court-mtg-invites-her-to-help-tackle-obamacare-subsidies-after-her-revolt/)
- TheEpochTimes: [Fetterman Urges Democrats to Reopen Government](https://theepochtimes.com/us/fetterman-urges-democrats-to-reopen-government-says-shutdown-sends-wrong-message-5928619), [Treasury Secretary Says Government Shutdown Starting to Harm US Economy](https://theepochtimes.com/us/treasury-secretary-says-government-shutdown-starting-to-harm-us-economy-5928710)
- JustTheNews: [Speaker Johnson warns government shutdown is on track to be longest in history](https://justthenews.com/government/congress/speaker-johnson-warns-government-shutdown-track-be-longest-history?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators)
- YourNews: [Johnson Says Government Shutdown Could Break Records as Health Care Standoff Drags On](https://yournews.com/2025/10/13/4199555/johnson-says-government-shutdown-could-break-records-as-health-care/), [Vance Says Waste, Fraud Plague Health Care Subsidies at Center of Shutdown](https://www.ntd.com/vance-says-waste-fraud-plague-health-care-subsidies-at-center-of-shutdown_1096273.html)
- ReclaimTheNet: [Canada’s Privacy Watchdog Not Consulted on Bill C-8, Enabling Secret Internet & Phone Shutdowns](https://reclaimthenet.org/canada-bill-c8-allows-secret-internet-phone-shutdowns)
- TheTimesOfIsrael: [As lawmakers rejoice in hostages’ return, some start to settle scores over war policy](https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-lawmakers-rejoice-in-hostages-return-some-start-to-settle-scores-over-war-policy/)
- TheEpochTimes: [Treasury Shuffling Funds So Troops Can Get Paid During Shutdown, Bessent Says](https://theepochtimes.com/us/treasury-shuffling-funds-so-troops-can-get-paid-during-shutdown-bessent-says-5928788)
- YourNews: [Trump’s Mass Layoff Strategy for Democrats’ Shutdown Already Yielding Yuge Results](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/13/trumps-mass-layoff-strategy-for-democrats-shutdown-already-yielding-yuge-results/), [Duffy Rips Democrats for Ritzy Fundraiser with ‘Hot Tubs’ While Shutdown Continues](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/13/transportation-secretary-sean-duffy-rips-democrats-for-ritzy-fundraiser-with-hot-tubs-while-shutdown-continues/), [Wall Street Rebounds Strongly as Trump Calms Fears Over China Tariffs](https://yournews.com/2025/10/13/4193923/wall-street-rebounds-strongly-as-trump-calms-fears-over-china/)
- Breitbart: [Trump’s Mass Layoff Strategy for Democrats’ Shutdown Already Yielding Yuge Results](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/13/trumps-mass-layoff-strategy-for-democrats-shutdown-already-yielding-yuge-results/), [Duffy Rips Democrats for Ritzy Fundraiser with ‘Hot Tubs’ While Shutdown Continues](https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/13/transportation-secretary-sean-duffy-rips-democrats-for-ritzy-fundraiser-with-hot-tubs-while-shutdown-continues/)