Government Shutdown & Healthcare Policy - The core issue of the government shutdown is the disagreement over extending Obamacare subsidies, not a spending debate [4][5] - House Democrats received polling data indicating a 2:1 margin preference for fighting for healthcare over opening the government [2] - Republicans believe they are winning the messaging war regarding the shutdown [14] - An offer exists to give Democrats a vote on subsidies in the Senate, but Democrats want guaranteed text in the CR due to distrust of Republicans [10][11] Political Incentives & Dynamics - Government shutdowns often devolve into battles over power and how parties present themselves to voters [7] - Democrats initiated a shutdown, against their principles, to achieve policy aims due to base demands to fight Donald Trump [8] - Republicans do not want to compromise with the minority party due to the signal it would send about power [7] - Democrats are trying to sideline congressional leaders and appeal to Trump, hoping he will compromise [13] Impact on Constituents - In Georgia, 1.4 million people utilize SNAP, which is about 13% of the state population [20][21] - Nearly 70% of SNAP recipients in Georgia are in families with children, and nearly 30% are in families with older adults or disabled adults [21] - Concerns exist about rising healthcare costs and the potential loss of food assistance benefits like SNAP and WIC [17][18]

Just days before 42 million Americans lose access to federal SNAP food benefits, Senate Majority Leader John Thun has blocked a Democratic bill to fund both SNAP and WICK, which is the lifeline for women and children and infants. Republican Senator Josh Holly has introduced a similar, more limited bill to fund SNAP until the end of the shutdown. But that bill doesn't cover WIC and it does not reimburse states for costs incurred while there is a gap in funding.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democr ...

As we speak, House Democrats have just concluded a strategy meeting on Capitol Hill about the government shutdown. House Republicans, on the other hand, they continue to stay home. And Speaker Mike Johnson is telling reporters to prepare for a lengthy shutdown, refusing to entertain the idea of negotiating with Democrats.But it does appear that some in the party are ready to break from that plan. New reporting from MSNBC details that House Republicans are indeed talking with the White House about a possible ...