WASHINGTON – The federal government is on the brink of a partial shutdown, with Vice President JD Vance predicting a funding lapse is likely after a high-stakes meeting at the White House on Monday failed to break a political impasse .
With the deadline to pass a funding extension set for midnight on October 1, congressional leaders from both parties emerged from talks with President Donald Trump acknowledging that "significant and meaningful differences remain" . The deadlock centers on a partisan clash over healthcare policy, with Democrats and Republicans refusing to budge from their positions.
A Clean CR vs. Healthcare Demands
At the heart of the stalemate is a disagreement over what should be included in a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), which would keep agencies open through November 21 .
Republicans, in a show of unity after the Oval Office meeting, argued that the House-approved CR is a "clean" extension without partisan riders and should be passed immediately . They have accused Democrats of hostage-taking.
"Their initial foray into this negotiation... was saying the American people want to give massive amounts of money, hundreds of billions of dollars to illegal aliens for their health care," said Vice President Vance. "We thought it was absurd" .
Democratic leaders, however, are demanding that a funding bill must include a permanent extension of expiring Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated that when Republicans say they will address the healthcare issue "later," Democrats believe "they mean never" . House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) asserted that Democrats are "deadly serious about addressing the Republican-caused healthcare crisis" .
The Looming Consequences
A failure to reach an agreement by Tuesday night would trigger a partial government shutdown, leading to widespread disruptions :
· Federal Workers: Hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be furloughed, while essential personnel, including military service members and air traffic controllers, would be required to work without pay until the shutdown ends .
· Public Services: Travel could be significantly affected, as seen in the 2019 shutdown when TSA call-outs led to long security lines and flight delays. Programs like food stamps (SNAP), nutrition assistance, and Head Start could also face disruptions .
· Small Businesses: Approvals for federal loans, permits, and housing programs could slow down .
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has stated he will bring the House-backed CR up for another vote on Tuesday, potentially repeatedly, in an attempt to pressure Democrats . As things stand, however, neither side has shown signs of capitulation, making a shutdown the most likely outcome.
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🕊️ Trump Unveils Gaza Peace Plan, Garnering International Praise Amid Hamas Uncertainty
WASHINGTON – In a landmark announcement from the White House, President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed a new U.S.-sponsored 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the nearly two-year-long war in Gaza .
While the plan has been welcomed by a broad coalition of Arab nations, European powers, and the Palestinian Authority, its ultimate fate rests on the acceptance of Hamas, which has not yet formally agreed to the proposal .
The Provisions of the Plan
The White House's detailed plan outlines a path to a permanent ceasefire, contingent on several key steps :
· Immediate Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange: The plan calls for an immediate end to military operations. Within 72 hours of acceptance, Hamas must release all remaining Israeli hostages—both living and the remains of those deceased. In return, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners .
· Disarmament of Hamas: A central condition is the complete disarmament of Hamas, including the destruction of its tunnels and weapon production facilities. The plan explicitly states that Hamas will have "no role, directly or indirectly, in the future governance of the territory" .
· Staged Israeli Withdrawal: Israeli forces would withdraw to agreed-upon lines inside Gaza and then complete a "staged withdrawal" from the territory over time. The plan affirms that "Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza" .
· Governing Gaza: Pending Hamas's removal, day-to-day governance would be handled by a temporary "technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee." This committee would be overseen by an international "Board of Peace," headed by President Trump and including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair .
· Path to Statehood: In a notable shift, the plan leaves the door open for an eventual Palestinian state, but only as a vague possibility once Gaza's redevelopment is advanced and the Palestinian Authority undertakes reforms .
A World Reacts
The proposal has received widespread international endorsement, though credit has been attributed more to Trump than to Netanyahu .
Arab and Islamic Nations: Eight Muslim-majority countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, issued a joint statement welcoming Trump's "sincere efforts" and expressing confidence in his ability to find a path to peace .
European Leaders: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged all sides to finalize the agreement, while French President Emmanuel Macron stated he expects Israel to "engage resolutely" and that Hamas must lay down its arms . Italy and Spain also voiced their support .
Palestinian Response: The Palestinian Authority welcomed the plan and expressed a commitment to working with the U.S. toward a comprehensive agreement . In contrast, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group condemned the proposal as a "recipe to blow up the region" .
The Sticking Point: Hamas
Despite the international momentum, the plan's viability is entirely conditional on Hamas's approval. A Hamas official told Reuters that the group had received the plan via mediators and would review it "in good faith" before responding . However, a senior Hamas official has previously stated that the group would not discuss disarming as long as the Israeli occupation continues .
President Trump issued a stark warning to the group, stating that Netanyahu would have full U.S. backing to "finish the job" if Hamas rejects the deal . With the Israeli public weary of war and Netanyahu facing pressure from both the hostages' families and his far-right coalition, the world now waits to see if Hamas will engage with a plan that requires its own dissolution .
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