The government shutdown reaches its fifth week as important deadlines approach

As the federal government shutdown reaches one month, Lisa Desjardins talks about the progress made toward a solution and the growing consequences of a continued shutdown.

Amna Nawaz:

The federal government shutdown now reaches the one-month mark.

Lisa Desjardins joins us now to see if there’s been any progress toward a solution.

So, Lisa, what’s the latest? Where are the talks?

Lisa Desjardins:

On the surface, unfortunately, there is no change in position from the leaders, but under the surface, in talking with senators, conversations have begun among members, not about exactly how to get out of the shutdown, but instead about how to deal with the spending problem that will come after the shutdown, and how to keep the government funded after the shutdown.

But why is this important? It’s an open door for discussions, and perhaps creates a way for people to talk. Basically, we’re almost in the first week of a normal shutdown in terms of what the Senators are doing. The other way you see it is that Senator John Thune, the Republican majority leader, spoke and embodied what I was picking up on, which is more anger at politicians.

Sin. John Thune (R-SD):

People should get paid in this country. We tried to do this 13 times. She voted no 13 times. This is not a political game. These are real people’s lives we’re talking about. And you all just realized that in 29 days, there might be some consequences. They are people who are running out of money.

Lisa Desjardins:

But perhaps deadlines are more important than passion. Here’s what’s coming. This is a big factor. We know November 1, some great ones. Tens of millions of Americans could face shortfalls in their benefits for SNAP and WIC, as we’ve been reporting, and also for Head Start, as I’ve been talking to some of them.

Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins. And also look at this. On November 5th next week, we will see the all-time closing record. So when I watch next week, safe, cracks in the surface. Will these cracks lead to a way out perhaps next week or the week after?

Amna Nawaz:

What about the people affected by all this? I know you’ve been talking to them. How do they view this?

Lisa Desjardins:

Usually, politicians think that pause memory is not long, but something interesting. We have the next Virginia election next week. I spoke to a federal worker family today, and my wife said, I’ve voted Democrat almost my whole life, and in Virginia just yesterday I voted for straight Republicans because they’re mad at the Democrats about this shutdown.

Most federal employees I talked to support Democrats, but this is a sign that things may be changing in a way that Democrats might notice, and Republicans will notice, too.

Amna Nawaz:

Well, Lisa Desjardins with the latest news, thank you.

Lisa Desjardins:

You’re welcome.