High-Stakes Game of Chicken

Trump slams Democrats as shutdown deadlock enters third week

President Donald Trump is throwing verbal haymakers at Democrats as the government shutdown grinds into its third week with no resolution in sight.

The crux of this mess is a bitter standoff over a funding bill, where Democrats are holding firm on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to lapse in 2025, while Trump and his team push back hard against what they see as wasteful spending, as Fox News reports.

This shutdown kicked off weeks ago when Democrats refused to budge on a funding bill without those healthcare subsidies included. Shutdown Stalemate Impacts Federal Workers.

As a result, hundreds of thousands of federal employees are caught in the crossfire, with their paychecks on hold while politicians bicker in Washington.

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Average monthly premium: Between $381 and $507, depending on the plan type and provider.

Monthly premium variation: Costs are affected by the plan's "metal level" (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), which determines the ratio of premium to out-of-pocket costs.

Other out-of-pocket costs: Plans also have deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, which are paid before the plan begins to cover costs.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) costs the government hundreds of billions of dollars primarily through subsidies that lower health insurance premiums for individuals. For instance, extending the enhanced subsidies would cost the government approximately $350 billion over a decade.

Beyond subsidies, ACA-related spending also includes marketplace tax credits, which cost nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2024.

Republicans argue that the ACA has driven up health insurance costs for many families, who are forced to pay higher premiums and deductibles for more comprehensive plans than they previously had.