After a month of shutdown, the U.S. government finally shows signs of reopening

Authors: Ye Huiwen Source: Wall Street Journal

After more than a month of political deadlock that led to a partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government, there are finally initial signs of thawing in Washington. Senior lawmakers from both parties in Congress are beginning to signal cautious optimism, hinting at possible pathways to break the deadlock, providing some relief to market concerns about the stability of the U.S. economy and politics.

According to Reuters, the latest positive development comes from senior Senate Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Monday that he is “optimistic” about ending the government shutdown and believes “we are approaching an ‘exit’.” This is seen as a small but significant shift in tone, breaking the absolute deadlock that had persisted for several weeks.

However, Democrats also perceive progress but point out core obstacles. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin said, “I feel it too,” but quickly added, “We are still stuck on healthcare costs.” This indicates that any final agreement must address Democrats’ concerns over healthcare subsidies.

Since the new fiscal year began on October 1, the standoff between Congress and President Trump has lasted 34 days, resulting in a widespread shutdown of federal programs. This deadlock has frozen approximately $1.7 trillion in government discretionary spending, accounting for one-third of the U.S. annual budget. Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or working without pay, affecting critical services from low-income assistance and military pay to airport operations, putting immense political pressure on lawmakers.

Senior Bipartisan Leaders Cautiously Comment

The hope for ending the shutdown mainly stems from subtle changes in attitude among top Capitol Hill figures. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, while expressing optimism, also warned against rushing, implying that negotiations remain fragile. His remarks are seen as an important indicator, suggesting that Republican leadership may be actively seeking solutions.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair, Republican Susan Collins, also revealed that efforts by staff from both sides over the weekend had made progress, with Democrats proposing specific language to break the deadlock. “It feels much better this week,” she said. But she also warned, “Everything could still fall apart again; I’m not implying an agreement has been reached.” These statements collectively paint a cautious picture: negotiations are ongoing, but the outcome remains uncertain.

Healthcare Subsidies as a Key Sticking Point

The biggest obstacle facing both parties is the upcoming expiration of healthcare subsidies in the United States. Democrats have tied government funding to the extension of these subsidies, making them a central issue in negotiations. As Senator Durbin noted, both sides are still “stuck on” how to handle healthcare costs.

This deadlock has a direct impact on people’s livelihoods. As the shutdown continues, some low-income families are seeing their food stamp benefits expire or only receive partial funding. The issue is not only a political bargaining chip but also directly affects millions of Americans’ lives, increasing the urgency to reach a compromise.

Moderate Lawmakers Seek Compromise Solutions

While leadership tests the waters, a small bipartisan group is attempting to find breakthroughs from outside. Media reports indicate that a group of four moderate House members—three Republicans and one Democrat—has proposed a compromise plan.

The plan suggests extending the tax credits under the Affordable Care Act for two years while setting new income thresholds for groups near the eligibility limits. Since October 1, bipartisan groups in the Senate have held sporadic, private meetings to try to resolve the deadlock, but no results have been achieved. The specific proposal put forward by moderate House members represents a new attempt to break Washington’s political deadlock.