Partisan divide deepens as government shutdown impacts grow

Congressional leaders from both parties agree the ongoing government shutdown is harmful, but they remain at odds over how to resolve it.

(CNN)- Congressional leaders from both parties agree the ongoing government shutdown is harmful, but they remain at odds over how to resolve it.

Democrats are pushing for a funding bill that would reverse Medicaid cuts and extend enhanced Obamacare subsidies. “What we’re doing is fighting to protect the health care of the American people,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY).

Republicans, however, want a cleaner continuing resolution without added spending. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said the Democratic proposal would add $1.5 trillion in new spending on a seven-week stopgap measure, calling it unacceptable.

The shutdown’s effects are already being felt. The FBI Agents Association warned the closure could hinder the bureau’s ability to address national security and criminal threats. The White House has indicated it will soon use the shutdown as grounds to lay off federal workers, while also warning that the WIC food program for women, infants, and children may run out of funds by next week. A recent survey shows about a quarter of military families rely on WIC.

With service members among the federal workers now going unpaid, advocates say the impact is particularly acute. “Our military families need a solution to this,” said Maria Donnelly, co-founder of the Military Family Foundation.

As both parties continue to clash over healthcare and spending priorities, the path to reopening the government remains uncertain.