The U.S. government has entered its seventh day of a partial shutdown, with lawmakers divided over a spending agreement. The primary point of contention remains health care policy, specifically Democratic demands for an extension of pandemic-era Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, and ongoing disagreement over whether federal funds should support health care coverage for undocumented immigrants.

Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have indicated that they will not support a clean continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government without guarantees on health care funding. In contrast, House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), argue that the subsidy debate should be handled separately from essential government funding and have called on the Senate to pass the CR approved by the House on September 19.

Schumer, who previously emphasized the importance of avoiding a shutdown, now faces criticism from Republicans who accuse Senate Democrats of prolonging the closure. Speaker Johnson has used daily press briefings to highlight what he describes as inconsistencies in Schumer’s past statements on shutdowns and has urged Democrats to avoid delaying payments to federal workers, including military personnel and air traffic controllers.

Despite typically receiving criticism during past shutdowns, Republican leaders have noted a shift in media tone, with some outlets pressing Democratic lawmakers on the funding dispute. For example, CNN anchor Jake Tapper recently questioned House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) on whether the current funding debate does, in fact, involve federal support for undocumented immigrants’ health care.

As negotiations continue, both sides remain under pressure to reach an agreement before further disruptions impact federal services and employees. No vote on a compromise has yet been scheduled in the Senate.