‘I think we’re headed to a shutdown,’ VP Vance warns as talks stall at White House
With a potential government shutdown looming, Vice President JD Vance and congressional leaders remain at an impasse over healthcare subsidies and Medicaid cuts, risking disruptions to federal services and paychecks.
Updated: 7:06 PM EDT Sep 29, 2025
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A government shutdown could be imminent, according to Vice President JD Vance, following a meeting between the White House and congressional leaders as the deadline approaches. “I think we are headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing,” Vance said.House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “And let me say, we are deadly serious about addressing the Republican-caused healthcare crisis because this is a deadly serious issue.”The standoff centers on Democrats’ efforts to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts, which Republicans have rejected. Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are urging Republicans and President Donald Trump to return to negotiations, asserting that it is up to the White House to prevent a shutdown. Meanwhile, Republicans argue that Democrats are “taking the government hostage” by linking healthcare subsidies to a discount, advocating instead for a short-term funding bill to keep agencies operational.If lawmakers fail to reach an agreement by Tuesday night, federal workers could miss paychecks, and small businesses relying on federal loans or permits could face delays. Programs such as food stamps, nutrition assistance, and Head Start could experience disruptions, affecting families dependent on them.The most significant impact of a shutdown would be on paychecks, with federal workers, including military service members and park rangers, either furloughed or working without pay. Families relying on childcare programs or food assistance could face delays. Even a short shutdown could cause ripple effects, slowing approvals for loans, federal housing programs, and food safety inspections.Travel could also be affected, as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers, deemed essential, would be required to work without pay. During the last major shutdown in 2019, many called out sick or quit, resulting in long security lines and flight delays.Healthcare costs are at the heart of the dispute, with premiums for the Affordable Care Act set to rise about 18% nationally next year, according to an analysis from KFF and the Peterson Institute think tanks.More coverage from the Washington News Bureau on the potential shutdown:
A government shutdown could be imminent, according to Vice President JD Vance, following a meeting between the White House and congressional leaders as the deadline approaches.
“I think we are headed to a shutdown because the Democrats won’t do the right thing,” Vance said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “And let me say, we are deadly serious about addressing the Republican-caused healthcare crisis because this is a deadly serious issue.”
The standoff centers on Democrats’ efforts to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts, which Republicans have rejected. Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are urging Republicans and President Donald Trump to return to negotiations, asserting that it is up to the White House to prevent a shutdown.
Meanwhile, Republicans argue that Democrats are “taking the government hostage” by linking healthcare subsidies to a discount, advocating instead for a short-term funding bill to keep agencies operational.
If lawmakers fail to reach an agreement by Tuesday night, federal workers could miss paychecks, and small businesses relying on federal loans or permits could face delays. Programs such as food stamps, nutrition assistance, and Head Start could experience disruptions, affecting families dependent on them.
The most significant impact of a shutdown would be on paychecks, with federal workers, including military service members and park rangers, either furloughed or working without pay. Families relying on childcare programs or food assistance could face delays. Even a short shutdown could cause ripple effects, slowing approvals for loans, federal housing programs, and food safety inspections.
Travel could also be affected, as TSA screeners and air traffic controllers, deemed essential, would be required to work without pay. During the last major shutdown in 2019, many called out sick or quit, resulting in long security lines and flight delays.
Healthcare costs are at the heart of the dispute, with premiums for the Affordable Care Act set to rise about 18% nationally next year, according to an analysis from KFF and the Peterson Institute think tanks.
More coverage from the Washington News Bureau on the potential shutdown:
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