President Donald Trump invited nearly every Republican senator to a “Rose Garden Club” lunch, showcasing party unity despite the government shutdown’s fourth week. The event featured yellow umbrellas, cheeseburgers, and chocolates while Trump praised his budget chief and mocked Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans are unified in their stance, having voted 11 times to reopen the government. Thune believes Democrats will eventually come around, but Schumer dismissed it as a “pep rally” and blamed Republicans for not negotiating with his party over ACA subsidies.
The shutdown is affecting millions of Americans, with hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay. States warn that programs like Head Start could run out of funding in weeks. Trump’s approval rating ticked up to 42%, but the economic impact remains modest compared to the human toll.
Republican leaders are debating extending a stopgap measure, with some discussing potential off-ramps, including short-term deals or lengthening continuing resolutions. Democrats counter that reopening first would strip them of leverage to secure subsidies. The path forward is unclear, with Trump seemingly content to let the crisis drag on.
In a statement, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for Trump to come to the negotiating table, while Schumer and Collins urged Republicans to negotiate in good faith.
Source: https://time.com/7327412/trump-government-shutdown-update-second-longest