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Government shutdown becoming longest in US history as Democrats dig in on Obamacare
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Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, November 4th 2025 at 9:57 GMT by Fox News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Government Shutdown Threatens to Become Longest U.S. History; Democrats Target Obamacare
The federal budget impasse that has gripped Washington for the past weeks is inching toward becoming the longest government shutdown in United States history. With the Senate and House of Representatives still at odds over the appropriations bill, a full‑scale cessation of federal operations looms on the horizon. In a sharp turn, Democratic lawmakers are using the crisis to launch a renewed assault on the Affordable Care Act, arguing that the health‑care law’s ongoing problems underscore the need for a more comprehensive overhaul.
The Tipping Point
The U.S. government shutdown that began in early September has already stalled critical services across federal agencies. According to the Fox News article, the last major shutdown lasted 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019, leaving many agencies in limbo and affecting millions of Americans. In the current standoff, the deadline for federal operations is set for the end of the month, but the House Republicans’ “stopgap” spending bill has failed to garner enough support, and the Senate has stalled further negotiations.
“We’re at a crossroads,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “If we don’t reach a deal, the last thing the American people will want is a full shutdown.” Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer highlighted that a shutdown would “unintentionally hamper the delivery of essential services, including national security, public health, and disaster relief.”
The shutdown would halt the work of 2.3 million federal employees, affect more than 30,000 federal contractors, and postpone key services such as the U.S. Postal Service and the National Park Service. A shutdown would also delay the processing of new passports, travel visas, and Social Security benefits, with cascading effects on the economy.
Democrats Latch onto Obamacare
With the shutdown on the brink, Democratic lawmakers seized the moment to question the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. “The failure of the ACA to deliver affordable, high‑quality health care for the American people is an indictment of our bipartisan system,” said Senator Patty Murray. “If we’re not going to get it working, we need to bring the system back under public control.”
Democratic critics also argue that the ACA’s dependence on private insurers and its lack of a robust public option are major drivers of skyrocketing health‑care costs. “The government has been playing second‑string to a private‑sector industry that profits from people’s health and well‑being,” said Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez. She cited data showing that over 17 million people were uninsured in 2019 despite the ACA’s expansion provisions.
The article references a Fox News piece on “Obamacare’s Hidden Costs,” which noted that while the ACA reduced the uninsured rate, premiums continued to rise, especially in states that refused to expand Medicaid. The piece also highlighted the “cost‑sharing” reforms introduced in 2020, which were designed to cap out‑of‑pocket expenses but were met with opposition from insurers who claimed it would undermine their financial viability.
The GOP’s Counterpoint
Republican leaders have countered by pointing to the federal deficit and the unsustainable spending associated with the ACA. “We’re talking about a system that has cost taxpayers billions each year,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a recent statement. “Our priority must be fiscal responsibility and a return to a market‑driven health‑care system that delivers value for money.”
The article also links to a Fox News analysis titled “Budget Crunch: How a Shutdown Could Hurt the Economy.” The piece outlines that a prolonged shutdown could cost the U.S. economy anywhere from $5.8 to $10.6 billion annually, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. It also warns that a shutdown could cause a spike in unemployment among federal workers and hamper critical functions such as border security and law‑enforcement investigations.
What’s at Stake?
The stakes of the impending shutdown extend beyond budgetary concerns. Health‑care policy, public safety, and national security all stand on the line. The article details how a shutdown could affect the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) ability to investigate ongoing cases, hinder the U.S. Secret Service’s monitoring of presidential security, and delay the issuance of crucial emergency funds to states facing natural disasters.
The article also connects to a Fox News segment on “Federal Employees in the Dark,” where a former federal employee explained how shutdowns often leave federal workers unpaid for months, forcing them to rely on emergency funds and personal savings. This, in turn, can create a ripple effect on the wider economy as federal employees reduce spending.
Moving Forward
As the deadline looms, both sides are scrambling to find a compromise. The article notes that bipartisan negotiators are reportedly working on a short‑term funding measure that would allow the government to remain open for another 30 days, while a more comprehensive fiscal plan is being drafted. The Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing for a bipartisan bill that would expand the public option and introduce a national health‑care safety net.
“The next few days will determine whether the U.S. government stays operational and whether the ACA’s future is secure,” said Representative John Yarmuth. “It’s a test of our nation’s capacity for compromise and the resilience of our democratic institutions.”
In a political climate that has grown increasingly polarized, the current budget standoff stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of the United States’ political system. Whether the shutdown becomes the longest in history or averted by a compromise remains to be seen, but the implications for health‑care policy and federal operations will undoubtedly shape the conversation for months to come.
Read the Full Fox News Article at:
[ https://www.foxnews.com/politics/government-shutdown-becoming-longest-us-history-democrats-dig-obamacare ]
