LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The federal government shutdown entered its 26th day on Sunday, with no resolution in sight. The prolonged impasse has left hundreds of thousands of Americans — including many in Kentucky — struggling with missed paychecks and uncertainty over essential benefits.
Federal employees such as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents and air traffic controllers have now gone weeks without pay. Many are seeking temporary jobs or financial assistance to cover rent, utilities, and other basic needs.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would not extend beyond Nov. 1, potentially leaving more than 600,000 Kentuckians without food assistance as the holidays approach.
The political stalemate in Congress continues to revolve around deep divisions over healthcare policy.
Kentucky Rep. James Comer (R) appeared on CNN Sunday morning to discuss his stance on affordable healthcare.
“We need to have a health care plan for every American — first the small business owners,” Comer said. “We’ve got to get people in Kentucky, my home state, off Medicaid that are able-bodied and into private health care. But private health care goes up twice as much as people on the Obamacare subsidies because somebody’s got to pay for those subsidies.”
Democrats, however, have pushed back, warning that the Republican-backed funding proposal could raise premiums and make health coverage less affordable for millions.
Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.) said that cutting federal healthcare subsidies and tax credits would worsen access and put pressure on providers.
“If more and more people are losing their health insurance because Donald Trump is refusing to extend those tax credits for healthcare, you’re going to see even more people coming in for care who can’t afford to pay,” McGarvey said. “It’s just going to stretch the resources really thin throughout the community.”
As the shutdown drags on, Kentucky families, federal workers, and healthcare providers continue to brace for the growing financial strain and uncertainty.
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