In a remarkable display of “unity in division,” both the Democratic and Republican parties held their ranks on Wednesday, leading to the predictable failure of competing bills to end the government shutdown. The complete lack of defections on either side demonstrates how deeply entrenched the partisan positions have become, ensuring the shutdown will drag on.
This political solidarity comes at a high price for the country. Federal agencies remain closed, hundreds of thousands of workers are in financial limbo, and essential services are beginning to show signs of strain. The nation’s air travel system, in particular, has been affected by staffing shortages, and a missed payday for the military looms next week.
The Democratic unity is centered around a single demand: the extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. The party is lockstep in its belief that this healthcare provision must be included in any government funding bill to protect 20 million Americans from rising insurance costs.
The Republican unity is built on the principle of a “clean” funding bill. Led by Speaker Mike Johnson, they are unified in their stance that the government should be funded temporarily without any other policy measures attached. This position is being enforced through procedural tactics and a sharp messaging campaign against the Democrats.
Even a rare break in the GOP line from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who called for negotiations, failed to sway anyone else. Likewise, a bipartisan compromise was dead on arrival. This perfect partisan unity means there is no middle ground, and therefore, no end to the shutdown until one side’s resolve finally breaks.