A 15th US government shutdown has begun due to a disagreement between President Donald Trump’s Republican party and congressional Democrats. Here’s what sparked the standoff:
**What Democrats Want**
Democrats are using their limited power in Congress to push for healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). They want to make permanent tax breaks available to more middle-income households and prevent Trump from ignoring ACA provisions.
If Congress doesn’t act, health insurance costs will increase for 24 million Americans who rely on the ACA. Democrats also want guardrails that would ensure immigrants in the country legally receive coverage.
**What Republicans Want**
Republicans are backing a stopgap spending bill that would fund the government through November 21 but does not include changes to ACA subsidies. They’re open to discussing expiring tax breaks, but it should be handled separately from funding the government.
The standoff is unlikely to end soon as Democrats refuse to back a spending bill without addressing their healthcare concerns.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/what-are-democrats-republicans-positions-us-government-shutdown-fight-2025-09-29