Daijiworld Media Network - New York

New York, Nov 9: A crippling government shutdown has brought large parts of the United States to a standstill, with hundreds of flights cancelled, millions of federal workers missing paychecks, and low-income families losing access to food aid — all amid a deepening political standoff in the Senate between Republicans and Democrats.

Now in its 39th day, the shutdown has paralysed most federal operations, with only essential services continuing to function. Even those managing these critical sectors, such as air traffic controllers, are working without pay — prompting many to stay home. On Saturday alone, the government ordered a 10 per cent reduction in flights at 40 major airports, leading to around 1,000 flight cancellations nationwide.

The Senate convened an unusual weekend session on Saturday in an attempt to end the impasse but failed again. Lawmakers will reconvene on Sunday to try once more to pass a temporary funding bill — known as a continuing resolution — which would keep the government running until a full-year budget is approved.

The US fiscal year began on October 1, but political gridlock has stalled the budget process. The main obstacle lies in the Senate’s filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to move a bill to a vote. With 53 Republican senators, the party lacks the numbers to overcome the procedural blockade without Democratic support.

President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to eliminate the filibuster altogether, calling it an obstacle to progress. “The Democrats are cracking like dogs on the Shutdown because they are deathly afraid that I am making progress with the Republicans on TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER!” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.

However, Democrats remain united, insisting that any funding resolution must include an extension of Obamacare subsidies, which are set to expire at year-end. “Democrats are ready to pass a government funding bill that includes healthcare affordability,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. “Now the ball is in the Republicans’ court.”

Republican leader John Thune has rejected any discussion of healthcare provisions until Democrats lift the filibuster, prolonging the stalemate.

While the Democrats have softened some earlier demands — including withdrawing a proposal to reverse Trump-era cuts to Medicaid — the core issue of Obamacare subsidies remains unresolved.

The shutdown has also triggered widespread economic pain. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) warned that prolonged government inactivity could reduce US economic growth by up to 2 per cent in the final quarter of the year.

The situation worsened on Friday after Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson issued a temporary ruling allowing the administration to withhold funds for food assistance programmes, reversing a lower court’s order to continue them. The decision has hit millions of low-income Americans who depend on subsidised meals.

Across the country, food banks and charities have reported surging demand as news outlets broadcast stories of families struggling to afford groceries.

Meanwhile, Trump has proposed redirecting Obamacare subsidies directly to individuals instead of insurance companies, calling them “the BIG, BAD Insurance Companies” — an idea Democrats have swiftly dismissed.

As Washington remains gridlocked, the effects of the shutdown are rippling across the nation — grounding planes, closing offices, and testing the patience of millions caught in the crossfire of partisan politics.