Sen. MarkWayne Mullin: Shutdown is costing us close to $1B a day to do nothing

Government Shutdown & Political Standoff - The Senate adjourned after failing to pass a continuing resolution for the 10th time, leading to a government shutdown [1] - The shutdown is attributed to a disagreement over appropriations, with Republicans accusing Democrats of blackmail by demanding acceptance of their $15 trillion proposal [5] - Republicans claim Democrats are refusing to negotiate on a clean CR (Continuing Resolution), similar to ones previously supported [3][4] - The shutdown is costing American taxpayers $400 million per day, with 750,000 employees furloughed [9] - There is an estimate that the shutdown could cost close to $1 billion per day [11] Political Strategies & Negotiations - Democrats are perceived to be waiting for a stronger negotiating position, potentially related to insurance premium increases [15][16] - The possibility of extending pandemic-era Obamacare subsidies is discussed as a potential point of negotiation, but faces Republican opposition [17][18] - The Democratic party is described as being in disarray, with internal divisions and low approval ratings [20] Impact & Consequences - Government shutdowns are viewed negatively, causing pain and suffering due to uncertainty, especially for those living paycheck to paycheck [8][9] - The shutdown impacts federal contracts, highways, roads, and defense, potentially leading to penalties [10]