The 2025 Government Shutdown Thread

DaisyDay said:

There seems to be some confusion that non-essential means not necessary. .

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After the shutdown, as is always the case, agencies will choose to try to be more efficient as companies do after a strike. There will be legal efforts to reduce the numbers ordered by agency heads (after Trump demands that to be the case).

Trump and his folks will point out that there should be no great outcry in eliminating non-essential employees.
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Of course, there will be illegal firings (the courts will adjudicate these), but all that is simply diversion as with the DOGE firings (which amounted to relatively few actual firings.

Clinton/Gore reduced force by 370K or more. Trump wants to do more and he is only about half-way to Clinton numbers. Trump wants to disable and cut whole departments, as Reagan's folks campaigned on so long ago.
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Trump's folks are all about diversion from the very obvious goal of doing all they can to greatly reduce the role of the federal government and to greatly reduce non-defense discretionary spending.

Defense spending is another matter. There, Trump wants to change the focus from 20th century antiquated Department of Defense toward a more modern Defense (the iron shield against incoming missiles), a modernization of the bureaucracy (using AI and modern computers), and drones instead of new fighter jets. This could cost more or less. Obviously, the supply chain and costs within the Defense bureaucracy needs to be scrutinized to say many billions, but that is an issue for another day.
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A CAUTION
I think that Democrats make a great mistake if they campaign against the idea of reducing the role of the federal government and against a reduced number of federal employees.

essentialsaltes said:

One of the bones of contention is that the ACA subsidies are being removed, which will cause some people's insurance costs to skyrocket.

ACA Marketplace Premium Payments Would More than Double on Average Next Year if Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire​

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Real Americans. Who Matter. Like Marjorie Taylor Greene's children.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks with the GOP on Obamacare, calling to avoid premium hikes​

Greene said she's "not a fan" of Obamacare [oh yes you apparently are] but complained that her "own adult children’s insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE" if Congress ignores the issue.

She goes on to make clear that this has nothing to do with giving illegals healthcare. Because it doesn't.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, clearly fed up with the ongoing shutdown and Republican stonewalling, challenged Johnson to a live floor debate on Monday, as federal agencies remained closed into a second week. Jeffries’ goal? Force some honesty into the conversation and shine a light on why the GOP is holding up the process.

At a Monday press conference, Johnson flatly rejected the idea, calling Jeffries’ offer “nonsense” and labeling the Minority Leader “desperate.” He brushed off the challenge. “I respect him, but we all know what he’s trying to do there,” he insisted, according to Politico.

essentialsaltes said:

Real Americans. Who Matter. Like Marjorie Taylor Greene's children.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks with the GOP on Obamacare, calling to avoid premium hikes​

Greene said she's "not a fan" of Obamacare [oh yes you apparently are] but complained that her "own adult children’s insurance premiums for 2026 are going to DOUBLE" if Congress ignores the issue.

She goes on to make clear that this has nothing to do with giving illegals healthcare. Because it doesn't.

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At some point, the COVID subsidy will be restored partially or in full. Obamacare is very popular.

This was an important (under the radar) increase in the safety net for poor Americans and all who use Obamacare.

The ending of the subsidies will have a very large effect on Republican states and districts.

essentialsaltes said:

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, clearly fed up with the ongoing shutdown and Republican stonewalling, challenged Johnson to a live floor debate on Monday, as federal agencies remained closed into a second week. Jeffries’ goal? Force some honesty into the conversation and shine a light on why the GOP is holding up the process.

At a Monday press conference, Johnson flatly rejected the idea, calling Jeffries’ offer “nonsense” and labeling the Minority Leader “desperate.” He brushed off the challenge. “I respect him, but we all know what he’s trying to do there,” he insisted, according to Politico.

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If you won't give me what I want, then let's have single combat. ROFL

The Democrats need leverage. As of now, they have none.

It will take more pressure on Republican legislators to make the difference.

Of course, 5 more Democrats could cave first.

mark46 said:

If you won't give me what I want, then let's have single combat. ROFL

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Speaker Johnson could open the House for business, rather than extending their vacation.