U.S. Government Shutdown Persists: Senate Rejects Funding Bill Seven Times, Trump Threatens to Cut Democratic Projects, Republican Leaders Deny Plans for "Big Move"

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The U.S. federal government shutdown has entered its eighth day, and the latest developments show that there is still no hope of ending the shutdown in the short term.

On Thursday, October 9th, Eastern Time, during the seventh recent vote, the U.S. Senate still failed to pass any temporary funding bills. Of these, the bill proposed by Republicans and already passed in the House received 54 votes in favor and 45 against, still falling short of the 60-vote threshold required for approval. The bill supported by Democrats failed as well, with 47 votes in favor and 50 against.

Trump issued a new threat at a White House cabinet meeting that day, stating that his administration plans to use the government shutdown as an opportunity to "cut only Democratic programs," and said these cuts would be "permanent." Trump noted that the cuts would target "programs very popular with Democrats but not supported by Republicans," without specifying which ones.

Senate Republican leader John Thune explicitly denied speculation that Republicans would use the "nuclear option" to break the deadlock. Although a minority of Republicans, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene and Senator Bernie Moreno, had suggested considering this option, Thune said he opposed changing the Senate's filibuster rules.

Another Senate Republican leader, Steve Scalise, called on Senate Democrats to vote for the House-passed bill, but did not confirm next week's agenda. Fellow Republican and House Speaker Mike Johnson continues to maintain a "48-hour notice" status in the House, but did not commit to resuming the House session next week.

WallstreetCN mentioned on Wednesday that the core dispute between the two parties is whether to continue the subsidies for health insurance provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enacted under Obama, which will expire at the end of this year. The Republican temporary funding bill proposes to keep the government running until November 21st, without any Democratic medical policy measures. Both parties accuse each other of hijacking government operations for political gain.

Trump escalates threats: Permanent cuts to Democratic-supported programs

At Thursday’s cabinet meeting, Trump further politicized the shutdown crisis, announcing the government will use the shutdown to "permanently cut" Democratic-supported programs. Trump stated:

"We will only cut Democratic programs. They wanted this (shutdown), now they will taste the bitter fruit they sowed themselves."

This threat echoed Trump’s comments last week on his social media platform, where he said the shutdown offers an "unprecedented opportunity" to cut "Democratic agencies."

Trump has assigned Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to be responsible for the specific cuts.

On Wednesday, October 1st, the first day of the shutdown, Vought announced the freezing of about $18 billion in New York City infrastructure project funds and canceled about $8 billion in climate-related funds to Democrat-leaning states. Two days later, $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago transportation projects was also put on hold.

According to media reports on Tuesday, the Trump administration is also considering withdrawing $12 billion in clean energy project funds. The prepared list of canceled projects includes major decarbonization and clean hydrogen projects approved by the Department of Energy during the Biden administration, such as those led by large oil and gas companies like Chevron and Occidental Petroleum.

This Thursday, Trump also accused Democrats of "weaponizing healthcare" during the shutdown crisis. "They want everyone to think about healthcare. We are the ones saving healthcare." He said the Republicans and the White House are working hard to lower drug prices.

Republican leader denies considering using the “nuclear option” to pass a bill

Facing growing pressure to break the deadlock, Senate Republican leader Thune explicitly stated that the so-called “nuclear option” would not be considered. This method would allow Republicans to change the Senate filibuster rules with a simple majority, bypassing the current 60-vote threshold required for legislation to pass.

This Thursday, when asked if the White House would support the nuclear option, Thune responded: "There are always lots of rumors—you know, from social media and such—but no, I have not had those conversations."

Commentary notes that adopting the “nuclear option”—modifying Senate rules with a simple majority—would require a high degree of unity among Senate Republicans. Several Republican senators worry that if Republicans become the minority in the Senate, such a move would backfire.

In the House, Johnson insists the House has "finished its work," continuing to pass the ball to the Senate. After passing the Republican-proposed seven-week temporary funding bill on September 19th, the House has remained in recess. Johnson canceled votes scheduled for September 29 and 30 and later canceled the session scheduled for October 7th.

There is disagreement within the Republican Party. California Representative Kevin Kiley criticized Johnson’s strategy this week, saying he "shouldn’t even consider" canceling the meeting for the third consecutive week, pointing out that the House has only passed a temporary funding resolution rather than a complete budget.

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