【By Observer Net, Wang Yi】On the morning of November 5th, the U.S. federal government has been "shut down" for the 36th day, breaking the record of 35 days set by Trump's first administration, becoming the longest government shutdown in the country's history.
American cable news network (CNN) pointed out on that day that this "record-breaking" deadlock is a monument to failed politics, and those elected politicians are harming the citizens they should serve. Legislators from different parties are busy showing off their power, while the powerless and voiceless people only feel being used as pawns by both parties.
The report said that when Trump was having his most intense confrontation with Democrats so far, millions of Americans were suffering from extreme pain and fear. This struggle, which seems to be about health insurance subsidies and healthcare bills, actually stems from power.
"Trump refuses to discuss any issue with us"
CNN stated that since Trump returned to the White House nine months ago, he has long been accustomed to ignoring the constitutional functions of Congress, almost doing everything according to his own way. Now, he demands that Democrats completely submit, even adding conditions: requiring Republicans to completely abolish the "filibuster" mechanism (i.e., the procedural obstruction), making the 60-vote threshold a thing of the past.
He wrote on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social" in all capital letters: "Immediately abolish the filibuster rules, end this ridiculous government shutdown right away! Most importantly, let's pass all the Republican policies we have dreamed of! We will become an unbeatable party - a smart party!"
It is known that currently, the Republicans and Democrats hold 53 and 47 seats respectively in the Senate, but the Senate voting rules require at least 60 votes to advance a bill. For the Republicans to push a bill, they must get support from the Democrats. However, in more than ten votes since September, only three Democratic senators were willing to support the bills proposed by the Republicans.
CNN interpreted Trump's declaration as indicating that this is clearly not a president ready to compromise. The New York Times also stated that the message from the Trump administration on the 4th was simple: either the Democrats give up their request to extend the expiring health insurance subsidies, or the consequences of the shutdown will get worse.
On the other hand, the Democrats are also "showing off their power". In the situation where the Republicans have full control of Washington, their leverage is "refusing to cooperate", using votes against to resist a president demanding absolute obedience.
On the 4th, Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, told the media that some informal negotiations are currently taking place, and the Democrats are "exploring all possible options", but Trump himself is completely out of the picture, "the responsibility for this government shutdown lies entirely on him, he refuses to discuss any issue with us."
Millions of Americans worry about going hungry and losing health insurance
"However, the political maneuvering of the authorities, the helpless people suffer." CNN said, millions of low-income families' food stamp assistance has been forced to stop, some beneficiaries have to queue up to go to food banks. Across the country, families buying health insurance are facing "unaffordable" price surges. Airport security lines are long, flight delays are frequent, and the American economy faces broader impacts...
"I understand both sides want to express their positions," Annemarie King, who receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), said, "but it really feels like we're being used as pawns by both sides."
At the same time, as the crisis intensifies, Trump's White House seems to be living on another planet, still boasting "after becoming president, I have changed this country." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt boasted, "The president has received the authorization to make America great again and has achieved it in record time."
Media outlets questioned, but the reality is, on November 5, 2025, one year after Trump defeated the former U.S. Vice President Harris, millions of innocent Americans are worried about going hungry or losing health insurance, the government remains paralyzed, domestic crises deepen, and public trust in Trump sharply declines.
The Congressional Budget Office recently stated that depending on the duration of the federal government shutdown, it is expected that the annual growth rate of the United States' real gross domestic product (GDP) this quarter will decrease by one to two percentage points. The BBC estimates that each week the shutdown continues will cost the U.S. GDP about $15 billion.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, said that in this "shutdown" dispute, "children, the elderly, the disabled, parents of working-class families are used as political pawns," "hunger is used as a means of threat."
Democrats take a desperate stand
After last year's election defeat and the Republicans regaining full control of Washington, the Democrats once fell into a low. Trump's "bulldozer" style of governance crushed Congress, cut budgets led by the Democrats, and constantly tested the boundaries of the Constitution. At the beginning of this year, the Democratic leaders had vowed to use "shutdowns" to counter the White House if necessary, but quickly retreated, angering supporters. Now, they are fighting desperately.
CNN analysis pointed out that the Democrats chose to focus their attack on rising health insurance costs. When policy renewal notices arrived on the 1st of this month, people were shocked to find the costs skyrocketing, and they had already laid the groundwork for the political public opinion field.
Hakeem Jeffries, the minority leader in the House of Representatives and a Democrat, lamented on the 4th about the rise in prices for groceries, housing, child care, and electricity, saying, "In the U.S., the cost of living is extremely high. Trump and the Republicans promised to lower expenses on their first day in office," but "the American people know that they have not made prices reasonable."
This tactic of the Democrats has received some resonance from voters. A new poll released by NBC on the 2nd showed that 52% of respondents believe the current stalemate is the fault of Trump and the Republicans, while 42% blame the Democrats. Trump's core supporters remain loyal, but moderate voters are drifting away. If this situation repeats in next year's midterm elections, it would be "disastrous" for the Republicans.
However, CNN reminded that winning the battle of public opinion is one thing, turning it into actual victory is another. The Democrats must weigh whether it is worth letting their already affected support groups continue to bear the pain to gain political benefits. Trump's strategy is to force them to choose between "Americans without food stamps" and "Americans without health insurance."
On the day when the federal government shutdown broke the record, the Republicans said they are willing to negotiate on health insurance subsidies, but the condition is that the Democrats vote to reopen the government first. This was rejected by the Democrats, who do not trust the Republicans and require assurance of cost control first, because Trump has not yet proposed any healthcare reform plan.
Independent U.S. Senator from Vermont Bernie Sanders said, "If the Democrats back down on this issue, it would be a betrayal of the millions of working-class families who hope they will defend their health insurance rights."
The Republicans then "targeted" more moderate Democratic senators, exerting pressure on them. On the 4th, Senate Majority Leader John Thune still expressed optimism about "ending the shutdown this week" and told Democrats, "as long as five of them are willing to step forward," everything can be resolved.
Meanwhile, the second-highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate, Dick Durbin, pointed out that after the elections in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia on the 4th, negotiations between the two parties may become more practical next week. The Democrats believe these election victories will force the Republicans to face reality.
CNN analyzed that currently, both sides have legislators trying to seek a "middle path" solution in the Senate, attempting to address health insurance costs, reopen the government, and lay the groundwork for a long-term budget bill. However, the differences remain deep and unbridgeable. "No matter who you blame for the nightmare in Washington, millions of Americans are being harmed, and they can't wait any longer."
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