Rep. Jason Smith on the US Shutdown and What Workers Should be Paid

Government Shutdown & Funding - The discussion revolves around backpay for furloughed federal workers during the shutdown, with a debate on whether they should be paid for the time not worked [1][2] - Democrats are urged to open up the government and pass a continuing resolution to fund the government as it was on September 30th, ensuring all federal employees get paid [2][3] - A continuing resolution, similar to one passed in March, is being held hostage due to unrelated policy objectives [4] - A potential lapse in military paychecks for 13 million military personnel is highlighted as a consequence of the shutdown [5] - Democrats are accused of obstructing a 60-vote filibuster in the Senate, hindering the delivery of paychecks for the military and the reopening of the government [6] - A House-passed continuing resolution is facing potential failure in the Senate [15] - A Democrat-proposed continuing resolution included an additional $14 trillion in spending, including health insurance for illegals and cutting $50 billion for rural health care [17] Healthcare & Obamacare - Obamacare premiums have risen by 80% in the last ten years, with subsidies increasing the incentive for insurance companies to raise premiums [8] - Democrats' demands to reopen the government include cutting $50 billion for rural health care [9][17] - Discussions are needed to lower the cost of premiums and provide more access to healthcare for all 347 million Americans, not just the 24 million on the exchanges [11][12] - Premium tax credits, set to expire on December 31st, are criticized for subsidizing high-income earners [10] Shutdown Impact & Duration - The American public is losing due to the government shutdown, which could potentially last longer than the previous 35-day shutdown [14] - The shutdown could lead to real mass layoffs [13] - The current continuing resolution has an end date of November 21st, raising concerns about the need for an extension [16]