How Lawmakers Are Responding to the Shutdown
The ongoing government shutdown has officially become the longest in U.S. history, prompting significant discussions among political analysts and journalists about its implications for voters and lawmakers alike. During a recent episode of “Washington Week With The Atlantic,” a panel of experts highlighted the stark choices made by the administration amidst the shutdown, particularly concerning funding for essential programs. Jeff Zeleny, CNN’s chief national-affairs correspondent, pointed out a troubling decision: while the government has allocated funds for military payments and ICE officers, it has left approximately 42 million Americans without support for food assistance programs as Thanksgiving approaches. This disparity in funding priorities is beginning to resonate with the public and could have ramifications for the administration and Republican lawmakers as they face mounting pressure from constituents.
The panelists also noted a shift in the political landscape following recent elections, suggesting that Democrats are feeling more emboldened in their positions. Mark Leibovich, a staff writer at The Atlantic, observed that the results from Tuesday’s elections have fortified Democratic resolve, making them less willing to compromise than they were previously. This newfound confidence among Democrats could complicate negotiations to end the shutdown, as they may feel less inclined to concede to Republican demands. The discussion, moderated by Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, included insights from other prominent journalists such as Leigh Ann Caldwell, chief Washington correspondent at Puck, and David Ignatius, a foreign-affairs columnist at The Washington Post. Their collective analysis underscores the critical nature of the current political climate and the potential long-term effects of the shutdown on American governance and public sentiment.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of the shutdown extend beyond immediate concerns about funding and services; they reflect deeper issues of governance, accountability, and the priorities of elected officials. With the shutdown now at a historic length and the holiday season approaching, the stakes are high for both parties as they navigate the challenges ahead. The full episode of “Washington Week With The Atlantic” offers a comprehensive look at these developments and their potential impact on the political landscape, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the current state of American politics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gny-jJbcao
The government shutdown is now the longest in history. Panelists joined
Washington Week With The Atlantic
to discuss how voters and lawmakers are responding, and more.
Three weeks before Thanksgiving, “the administration has chosen to not find money to fund the food-assistance program for some 42 million Americans,” Jeff Zeleny, the chief national-affairs correspondent at CNN, said last night. “But they have found money for military payments and ICE officers and others. That choice, he added, “is beginning to catch up with the administration and Republicans.”
Meanwhile, “Democrats seem to be much more dug in than they were before Tuesday,”
Atlantic
staff writer Mark Leibovich noted. “I think they seem emboldened by Tuesday’s elections.”
Joining the editor in chief of
The
Atlantic
, Jeffrey Goldberg, to discuss this and more: Leigh Ann Caldwell, the chief Washington correspondent at
Puck
; David Ignatius, a foreign-affairs columnist at
The Washington Post
; Mark Leibovich, a staff writer at
The Atlantic
; and Jeff Zeleny, the chief national-affairs correspondent at CNN.
Watch the full episode
here
.
