"Could Become Longest U.S. Shutdown" Pressure Mounts on Ruling Party...Museums and Zoos Also Close

The Key Issue: Extension of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Republicans: "Passing a Clean Bill Comes First"
Democrats: "Republicans Have Paralyzed the House"

Republican Mike Johnson, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, is holding a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on July 23. Photo by AFP News Agency

As the U.S. federal government shutdown (Shut Down·temporary suspension of work) entered its 13th day due to the standoff between the two parties, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson pressured the Democrats to accept the budget bill, warning that "this shutdown could become the longest in U.S. history."

According to the Associated Press, Speaker Johnson stated at a press conference on the 13th (local time), "There will be no negotiations as long as the Democrats insist on extending the Obamacare (ACA) tax credits." He added, "Passing a 'clean' budget bill without conditions is the priority."

He continued, "The Republican Party wants to return to the negotiating table to finalize the annual budget," but emphasized, "However, we will not engage in backroom deals or hostage negotiations."

The Democratic Party is opposing the passage of the Republican budget bill, demanding an extension of Obamacare, which is set to expire at the end of the year. Hakim Jeffries, Democratic House Minority Leader, said in an interview with MSNBC, "The Republican Party has effectively paralyzed the House," and asserted, "There are no real negotiations taking place."

As discussions between the two parties continue to stall, the U.S. House of Representatives has canceled all scheduled votes and entered a prolonged recess. While the Republican Party is using this as a strategy to pressure Senate Democrats, political media outlet The Hill reported that some Republican lawmakers are pushing back, insisting that formal discussions on the budget and bills should continue even during the shutdown.

The Donald Trump administration is taking this opportunity to implement unprecedented measures by laying off thousands of federal employees. On the night of the 10th, about 1,300 employees of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were notified of dismissal, but the next day, on the 11th, 700 of them received a correction notice stating they were not subject to dismissal. Vice President J.D. Vance warned, "There will be more painful cuts ahead."

Major museums and zoos in Washington, D.C. have also begun to close. The Smithsonian Institution, the world's largest museum foundation, temporarily suspended the operation of its museums and the National Zoo under its jurisdiction starting from the 12th of this month due to the shutdown. While essential personnel in security and public safety continue to work, non-essential federal employees have been placed on unpaid leave.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant expressed concern in an interview with Fox Business, saying, "The shutdown situation is becoming serious" and "It is affecting the real economy." He added that the government is postponing expenditures for some federal employees and federal government services, such as museums, in order to pay salaries to the military.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 35 days during the first Trump administration from 2018 to 2019. The second longest was under the Clinton administration (21 days), and the third longest was under the Obama and Carter administrations, each lasting 17 days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.