Part 2/12:
The core of the current crisis centers on entrenched political disagreements, primarily between Republicans and Democrats. According to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, the deadlock has persisted for over four weeks, with Democrats refusing to agree to a bill that would reopen the government and extend essential subsidies. Johnson emphasized that Republicans have consistently pushed for a "clean continuing resolution"—a straightforward extension of current funding levels—yet Democrats have repeatedly voted to keep the shutdown in place. Despite holding only 53 seats in the Senate out of 100, Republicans cannot unilaterally reopen the government without Democratic cooperation, which has been notably absent.