Federal Workers' Union Calls for Immediate End to the Shutdown

A sign outside the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden
Reuters
By Yuval Rosenberg

Good evening. President Donald Trump arrived in Japan for the second leg of a diplomatic tour through Asia. Trump met with Japan's Emperor Naruhito ahead of a planned meeting Tuesday with Sanae Takaichi, a conservative who just became the first woman to serve as the country's prime minister. Here at home, on Day 27 of the government shutdown, the partisan messaging fight over the shutdown continues with little sign of progress. But the funding lapse may become significantly more painful in just a matter of days.

Here's what you should know.

As Shutdown Pain Looms, Federal Workers' Union Calls for 'Clean' Funding Bill

The government shutdown will be four weeks old tomorrow, and there's little sign of movement in the standoff. That could change before long as the pain of the shutdown is about get much more severe, with more federal employees missing paychecks; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps, expected to run out in states across the country; and families learning how much higher their Affordable Care Act health plan premiums are going to be for next year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture posted a highly political notice on its website blaming Democrats for failing to fund the food stamp program and saying that no benefits will be issued on November 1. "Bottom line, the well has run dry," the site says.

Democrats have reportedly asked Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to tap into some $5 billion in contingency funds to help pay for the November benefits for more than 40 million Americans, but the Trump administration has ruled out doing so, and a USDA memo reportedly said that "contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits."

The Trump administration has taken legally dubious steps to cover other costs during the shutdown, most notably paychecks for military service members.

Union calls for a 'clean' funding bill: As the shutdown pressures build, the largest union representing federal workers on Monday called for lawmakers to end the impasse immediately by passing a "clean" continuing resolution - the path Republicans have been demanding.

"[I]t's time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today," Everett Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement. "No half measures, and no gamesmanship. Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay - today."

Democrats have been pressing Republicans to engage in negotiations focused primarily on extending enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. Republicans, who are divided on the subsidies and, in many cases, continue to oppose the Affordable Care Act itself, have insisted that negotiations on healthcare can take place only after the government reopens.

In his statement, Kelley argued that his call to reopen the government doesn't favor either side. "It's long past time for our leaders to put aside partisan politics and embrace responsible government," he wrote. "A strong America requires a functioning government - one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time."

Trump Predicts China Trade Deal, Lashes Out at Canada

Ahead of meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week, negotiators for the two countries on Sunday said they had hashed out the preliminary framework for a crucial trade deal.

"I think we have a very successful framework for the leaders to discuss on Thursday," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters.

Trump said the deal is not final yet, but he expects it to work out. "I think we're going to come away with a deal," he said.

The agreement reportedly may cover a broad range of issues, including Chinese export controls on rare earth metals, reciprocal tariff extensions, the purchase of U.S. soybeans and fentanyl trafficking. Bessent reportedly said the negotiations had wiped out the threat that Trump would impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting next month and would likely see China to delay a move to restrict exports of rare earths.

In an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Bessent touted the progress made in the talks. "The president had given me maximum leverage when he threatened 100 percent tariffs if the Chinese imposed their rare earth global export controls. So I think we have averted that, so that the tariffs will be averted," Bessent said. He added that the deal involves "substantial agriculture purchases for U.S. farmers."

Trump and Xi may also finalize a deal to transfer majority ownership in TikTok and allow the app to continue operating in the United States.

Clashing with Canada: Even as the Trump administration may be nearing a potentially vital trade deal with China, easing simmering tensions between the world's two largest economies, the president on Saturday ratcheted up his fight with Canada.

In a social media post, Trump announced that he will impose an additional 10% tariff on Canada. The move came in a fit of pique about an ad campaign by the Canadian province of Ontario centered on a 1987 address by former President Ronald Reagan in which he speaks negatively about tariffs.

Tariffs may look patriotic, Reagan said in his speech, and they may work for a short time. "But over the long run, such trade barriers hurt every American worker and consumer," he said. "High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. Then the worst happens: markets shrink and collapse, businesses and industries shut down, and millions of people lose their jobs."

After Trump complained about the ad, Ontario Premier Doug Ford said that he would end the campaign, but the ad still appeared in the broadcast of the first game of the World Series on Friday night and again during Game 2 on Saturday night.

Ford on Monday said the ad had worked to start a conversation. "You know why President Trump is so upset right now? It was because it was effective. It was working. It woke up the whole country," Ford said. He added: "My intention was to inform the American people this is serious. And it is going to cost jobs if we don't get a fair-trade deal with your closest friend and ally."

The ad apparently put a chill on warming relations between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. "Whether it's provincial or Canada itself - they all knew exactly what the ad was. The prime minister knew," Trump told reporters.

He said he won't be meeting with Carney again anytime soon. "I don't want to meet with him," Trump said. "No, I'm not going to be meeting with them for a while. No, I'm very happy with the deal we have right now with Canada. We're going to let it ride."

Carney told reporters that talk with the United States had made "considerable progress" and that he's ready to resume discussions when the U.S. is ready.

"In any complicated, high-stakes negotiation, you can get unexpected twists and turns and you have to keep your cool during those situations," Carney said. "We stand by the progress that had been made - the government of Canada does - and we are ready, when appropriate, to pick that up."

The bottom line: Trump claimed that the Reagan ad was meant to interfere with an upcoming Supreme Court ruling in a case challenging whether Trump can unilaterally impose some of his tariffs. But the president's anger-fueled response may give his opponents more ammunition.

Quote of the Day

"I would love to do it. I have the best numbers ever."

− President Trump, suggesting he'd be interested in a possible 2028 run for a third term in office despite the Constitution's 22nd Amendment prohibition on presidents serving more than two terms.

On his way to Tokyo, the 79-year-old president was asked by reporters aboard Air Force One about the 2028 election after his former strategist, Steve Bannon, suggested in a recent interview that there is "a plan" to keep Trump in office. "Trump is going to be president in '28, and people ought to just get accommodated with that," he said.

Trump told reporters he "hasn't really thought about" trying for a third term and that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be great contenders. "Am I not ruling it out? You'll have to tell me," Trump said.

Trump said he would be allowed to serve as vice president but ruled out that option. "I wouldn't do that. I think it's too cute. Yeah, I would rule that out because it's too cute. I think the people wouldn't like that ... It wouldn't be right."

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