Some officials in President Donald Trump's administration are now starting to admit that the longer the federal government shutdown continues, the harder it will be to shield its worst impacts from the American public.
Politico reported Wednesday that the most detrimental parts of the shutdown — which will soon enter its fourth week if Congress fails to end it — are now starting to hit home for more Americans outside of the federal workforce. And the various stopgap measures the administration has used now appear poised to discontinue.
In one example, the Pentagon was able to pay U.S. military personnel by taking $8 billion out of the military's research and development accounts. However, troops could miss a full paycheck if the shutdown isn't resolved by the end of the month. There is currently legislation pending in the House of Representatives that could pay some federal workers and active-duty troops, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has kept the House out of session since September 19.
Despite Republicans controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, some administration officials are publicly taking their frustration out on Democrats. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins on Wednesday pressured Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to sign the Republican-written government funding bill to reopen the government (which notably does not include an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits Democrats have been asking for), citing the increasingly dire impacts of the shutdown.
"As this shutdown continues into a third week, its disruptive effects are increasingly evident," Collins wrote.
Additionally, the Trump administration kept assistance for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program going through November by diverting $300 million in tariff revenue. However, the anti-poverty program will need another infusion of funds in order to stay operational after next month. And the National Park Service is reportedly straining to keep up with park maintenance and trash removal with its own reserve accounts.
"We’re borrowing from Peter to pay Paul here, literally, because we gotta pull from non-appropriated funds like recreation fees to help keep the parks open, keep permitting going, keeping all the stuff going, to keep America going," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a recent interview.
Click here to read Politico's report in its entirety.