Part 5/10:
During government shutdowns, vital national services and military personnel face unpaid leave, with estimates suggesting a daily cost of around $400 million. Critics highlight that, under current negotiations, the shutdown is primarily a result of Democrats pushing to extend existing budgets supported in previous Congresses, notably a seven-week continuing resolution based on last year's spending plan.
Republican leaders emphasize that efforts are being made to prioritize essential government functions and prevent unnecessary hardship. They laud their approach for being more responsible relative to past administrations, such as the Obama years, where shutdowns were sometimes deliberately made more painful to the public.