The federal government is closed for a third day, and NPR reports sources have already assigned President Donald Trump as the figurehead on the shutdown.
While many in Georgia are focused on how long the shutdown will last rather than blame, those who are pointing fingers appear to be aiming them at the White House.
“It feels like there's malice, versus what it was like back in 2018, 2019," said Yolanda Jacobs, president of the union chapter that represents several thousand Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees. “Now we feel like whatever is happening is meant to intentionally clear out and cull the herd, so to speak.”
The suspicion appears to have plenty to do with the Trump administration’s love of layoffs and firings. Even before the shutdown kicked in a few days ago, NPR said the Trump administration had slashed CDC jobs and programs.
“Now thousands more employees are furloughed and President Trump has threatened mass layoffs during the shutdown,” NPR reports.
Interviewed at a trailhead in Georgia’s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, park visitors Stephen and Amantha Moore say they are supporting Democrat efforts to maintain healthcare services that Republicans erased through the reconciliation process earlier this year.
"I respect the Democrats for taking a stand, finally," said Amantha Moore.
NPR reports Stephen Moore said Democrats should hold the line, although he is not sure for how long.
"One of our sons worked for the National Park Service during that long period when the government shut down and there were people in dire straits," Amantha Moore said.
Park visitor Mary Keesee told NPR she had heard Republicans’ claim that Democrats “want to give free health insurance,” but she wasn’t sure to who.
NPR notes Keesee is referring to “false claims Republicans have made about Democrats wanting to provide subsidies to undocumented immigrants.”
Democrats are holding out for a deal to extend subsidies for health insurance plans offered under the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire soon, NPR reports. “Without the subsidies, many policyholders could see their premiums increase significantly — and some may no longer be able to afford the coverage."
Republicans argue the subsidies are too expensive, but NPR claims a few party members want to work with Democrats to preserve them.
Read the NPR report at this link.