分类： politics

The United States government shutdown intensified on Wednesday as congressional Democrats departed without resolving a funding impasse with President Donald Trump, while the White House hinted at potential mass layoffs in the public sector. The stalemate began after federal funding expired at midnight, forcing agencies to scale back operations. The White House issued warnings of “imminent” job cuts, heightening tensions. Senate Democrats, advocating for extended health care subsidies for low-income families, rejected a House-approved bill that would have temporarily reopened the government. With Senate voting adjourned until Friday, hopes for a swift resolution have dwindled. Approximately 750,000 federal employees face furloughs, a form of unpaid leave, while essential workers like military personnel and border agents may work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association raised concerns over air safety as over 2,300 members were sent home. This shutdown carries higher stakes than previous ones, as Trump pushes for hard-right policies, including significant government cuts and potential mass firings. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration is identifying areas for layoffs. House Republicans passed a stop-gap funding measure to sustain federal operations through late November, but Senate Democrats refuse to support it without compromises on spending cuts, particularly in health care. Senate Republican leaders, needing eight Democratic votes to pass the bill, managed to sway three moderates in an initial vote but failed to secure additional support. Congress will not vote on Thursday due to the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday, but the Senate will reconvene on Friday, potentially working through the weekend. The House is not scheduled to return until next week.

A group of enthusiastic 10- and 11-year-old students from Georgia faced disappointment on Wednesday as their much-anticipated tour of the US Congress was abruptly canceled due to a government shutdown. The shutdown, which began at midnight, has led to the closure of numerous federal departments and agencies, leaving thousands of public sector workers furloughed. This occurred after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a funding deal to sustain government operations.

Cami Hamlin, the principal of Springdale Elementary School, expressed her frustration, noting the irony of the situation. ‘It’s unfortunate as we’ve been teaching the kids they’ve got to manage their own budget,’ she remarked, standing in front of the Congress building with dozens of other tourists. The shutdown, triggered by a political deadlock between President Donald Trump’s Republicans and opposing Democrats, has particularly impacted Washington, D.C., where the federal government is the largest employer and operates many popular tourist attractions.

Key landmarks such as the Washington Monument were closed to visitors on Wednesday due to staff shortages. However, institutions like the Smithsonian, which manages museums and the National Zoo, will remain open until Monday using prior-year funds. Tourists like Martine Ruaud from Bordeaux, France, expressed their disappointment. ‘There is so much to see and it’s annoying if tourists can’t come because there’s no staff,’ she said, adding, ‘It would be a shame if the country closed itself off.’

This shutdown marks the first since a record 35-day stalemate in 2019 during Trump’s first term. It comes as the president seeks to advance a hard-right agenda opposed by Democrats, particularly focusing on expiring healthcare subsidies that Democrats want reinstated in the federal budget. Visitors like Terese Johnston from California voiced their frustration with the political impasse. ‘I think our government needs to learn how to work together for the people,’ she said. ‘This should have been resolved a long time ago, and we should never come to this position.’

In a landmark move towards regional integration, the free movement of nationals among St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Barbados, Dominica, and Belize officially commenced on October 1. This initiative, facilitated by recent legislative amendments in SVG, marks a significant step in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Single Market and Economy (CSME) framework, which aims to promote the unrestricted flow of goods, services, labor, and skills across member states. The new policy allows citizens of these four nations to travel, reside, and work indefinitely in each other’s territories without requiring work permits or CARICOM Skills Certificates, previously mandated for such movements.

In a significant legal development, the US Supreme Court has temporarily halted former President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook from her position. The court announced on Wednesday that it would defer the case until oral arguments are presented in January 2026, ensuring Cook remains in her role until then. Trump had sought to dismiss Cook earlier this year, accusing her of falsifying statements on her mortgage agreements—a claim Cook has vehemently denied. She subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging her dismissal, asserting she was not given a fair opportunity to address the allegations. A White House spokesperson responded to the court’s decision by stating the administration had acted lawfully and expressed confidence in prevailing during the Supreme Court hearing. Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Fed’s governing board, was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate. Her term is set to last until 2038. The Supreme Court’s intervention marks a notable moment of resistance from the conservative-leaning bench, which has often aligned with Trump’s administration. The case has drawn widespread attention, with nearly 600 economists signing a letter in support of Cook and the Federal Reserve’s independence. Legal experts, including University of Richmond professor Carl Tobias, view the court’s decision as a positive but cautious step for Cook, emphasizing the importance of the Fed’s autonomy. The Federal Reserve, which operates under a congressional mandate to manage inflation and employment, recently voted to lower interest rates, a decision Cook supported. The delay in the case underscores the broader implications of political interference in the central bank’s operations.