By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Speaker Johnson has the power to pass a bill immediately that would fund both the military and air traffic controllers. This legislation would avert potential financial shortfalls and ensure continued operations for these critical sectors. The ability to pass the bill rests solely with the Speaker, highlighting the potential for immediate action. Therefore, resolving the funding issue is currently in the Speaker’s hands.
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Americans blame Republicans for the shutdown, polling shows, and it’s not hard to see why. After all, they currently hold the reins of power in the House, Senate, and even the White House, giving them significant control over the levers of government. With this kind of dominance, the responsibility to craft and pass legislation clearly falls on their shoulders. When the government grinds to a halt, and critical services are disrupted, the public naturally looks to those in charge to fix the problem.
It’s increasingly clear that the Republican Party, as a whole, seems less interested in the daily grind of governing and more focused on other pursuits. The narrative emerging is one of prioritizing self-enrichment and leveraging the misfortunes of the American people for their own benefit. Many feel that the shutdown is just another symptom of this trend, a willingness to exploit a crisis for political gain, and that this isn’t just about winning elections; it’s about holding onto power.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the Republicans could technically end the shutdown at any moment, without any Democratic support, if they were truly motivated to do so. They could, for instance, end the filibuster, something they’ve previously hinted at. The fact that they haven’t taken this simple step suggests that ending the shutdown isn’t really a priority. Some believe that the shutdown provides opportunities for Trump to pursue initiatives without legislative oversight, like firing government workers or undertaking personal projects.
The lack of any clear Republican counteroffer is also a sticking point. While Democrats are advocating for improvements to healthcare, Republicans seem to be offering little more than the end of the shutdown itself, or worse, cutting health benefits. It’s a stark contrast, and it’s no surprise that the public views this as a lack of engagement, or even, outright dismissal.
Given these circumstances, many Americans see the shutdown as a direct consequence of Republican actions and inaction. The blame often falls squarely on their shoulders, which isn’t just an opinion, but rather a reflection of the facts.
This perceived lack of action is particularly striking because Republicans control the entire government, and the judiciary and executive. It’s easy to see why the public perceives a lack of will to solve problems. It’s not about playing politics; it’s about what the voters view as the best approach.
It is worth noting that some Americans may not fully grasp the implications of a government shutdown. Even so, the public is quick to assign blame when essential services are disrupted and political gridlock prevails.
The focus on blame, however, overshadows the real consequences, and what’s at stake. Americans should be paying attention to the details of the policy debates, rather than getting caught up in the blame game. The shutdown is not just a political battle; it has real-world consequences, such as the potential loss of healthcare coverage and rising premiums.
The narrative shifts to one of inaction, because the majority seems to have a mandate to govern, which they are failing to do, which is why the blame is placed where it is. It’s perceived as a deliberate choice to prioritize political maneuvering over the needs of the American people.
The longer the shutdown persists, the more likely the public is to hold Republicans accountable. With all the pieces of power already in place, there’s no easy scapegoat, and there’s no one else to blame but themselves.
Democrats don’t have to back down and give in to unfavorable terms. Republicans are supposed to present a bill that is actually able to be passed, they need to do their job. While it’s true that some might place blame on Democrats, the polls and broader sentiment suggest that the majority are pointing the finger at the Republicans.
It’s clear that the Republican leadership is, in some ways, happy with the outcome of the shutdown. With the control of the entire government, they can get what they want and take advantage of the chaos while the people lose in the process.
The shutdown is being used to distract, and is considered, at this point, to be a distraction.
In the end, it boils down to a lack of accountability, and a lack of transparency. Republicans are failing to do the job the American people hired them to do.