As the government shutdown stretches into its 40th day, dozens of federal unions are signaling their willingness to absorb “severe hardship” — including missed paychecks and potential job losses — if it means opposing President Donald Trump and his GOP allies in Congress.
In a memo sent to Democratic leaders, the Federal Unionists Network (FUN) and 35 affiliated labor groups urged lawmakers not to compromise with Republicans on a “clean” budget deal, even as millions of Americans feel the ripple effects of the prolonged standoff.
The letter, addressed to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, paints a picture of unions viewing the shutdown as a political and moral stand.
“Federal workers and the communities we serve will face severe hardship,” the memo reads. “But federal workers will willingly forego paychecks in the hopes of preserving the programs we have devoted our lives to administering.”
In short, union leaders say they’re ready to suffer in the short term to protect the long-term survival of federal programs they believe are under threat from the Trump administration.
Democrats Dig In as Pressure Mounts
Democratic leaders in Congress are showing no sign of backing down. Both Schumer and Jeffries have privately told colleagues that keeping the government closed could be politically advantageous if it forces Republicans to accept concessions — particularly on healthcare funding.
Among their key demands: extending Obamacare subsidies for low-income Americans, including undocumented immigrants, at a cost of roughly $350 billion over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Republicans have balked at the request, arguing that it’s unrelated to the spending bill and should be handled separately before the current subsidies expire at the end of the year.
“The Democrats’ position is basically hostage-taking,” one GOP aide told Axios. “They’re holding the government — and millions of workers — hostage to push through a permanent entitlement expansion.”
Still, Schumer has defended the Democrats’ stance, claiming the party’s approach is about protecting workers, not punishing them. Yet critics within his own ranks warn that the longer the shutdown continues, the harder it will be to justify.
Trump’s Team Calls It “A Political Game”
From the White House, Trump has accused union leaders and congressional Democrats of “playing politics with people’s livelihoods.”
He insists Republicans already passed a continuing resolution through the House to keep the government funded through November 21, which Democrats rejected in the Senate.
“The people who say they care about workers are the ones refusing to pay them,” Trump said in remarks to reporters. “We’ve done our job. They’re the reason the lights are off in Washington.”
Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, offered Democrats a compromise — a vote on the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits in exchange for reopening the government. But Democrats have refused, saying they won’t negotiate until the shutdown ends.
Thune told reporters this week, “We’re getting close to an off-ramp here, but the other side seems to think dragging this out helps them politically.”
Workers Caught in the Crossfire
For hundreds of thousands of federal employees, the stalemate has turned into a financial nightmare.
Paychecks have stopped. Rent and mortgage payments are overdue. Union leaders have set up emergency food banks for affected workers, but morale is rapidly deteriorating.
Yet despite the pain, many union members still appear to back their leadership’s decision to resist.
“It’s tough,” said one federal worker in Maryland. “But if this is what it takes to stand up to Trump and his people, we’ll get through it. We’ve been through worse.”
The sentiment reflects the divide in Washington — a standoff where neither side wants to blink first, even as everyday Americans shoulder the cost.
Democrats Demand “Bipartisan” Talks — On Their Terms
On Wednesday morning, Schumer and Jeffries sent a joint letter to the president, demanding an immediate bipartisan meeting to “end the GOP shutdown.”
“Democrats stand ready to meet with you anytime, anyplace,” the letter read.
“We must reopen the government and decisively address the Republican healthcare crisis.”
But the plea rings hollow to Republicans, who note that Democrats have voted 14 times against GOP spending bills to end the shutdown.
“They keep saying ‘bipartisan,’ but what they really mean is: do it our way or nothing,” said one Republican strategist.
Inside the Search for a Deal
Behind the scenes, lawmakers from both parties are cautiously discussing a three-part plan to resolve the crisis.
According to Axios, the framework includes:
-
A Senate vote on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits.
-
A short-term continuing resolution to reopen the government while budget talks continue.
-
A separate funding package covering military construction, the legislative branch, and agriculture programs.
Negotiators say progress has been made, but the duration of the continuing resolution — how long it would keep the government funded — remains the biggest sticking point.
If the Senate strikes a deal, the House would have to reconvene to approve the package, potentially pushing the next funding deadline deeper into December.
A Battle of Wills
As the shutdown grinds on, one thing is clear: both sides are digging in for a long fight.
Union leaders say the suffering is worth it. Democrats insist they’re standing on principle. And Republicans argue that Democrats are holding the country hostage over a political stunt.
For now, the real casualties are the federal employees — and the taxpayers — caught in a crisis that shows no sign of ending.
James Jenkins is a celebrated Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose work has reshaped the way readers think about social justice and human rights in America. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, James grew up in a community that instilled in him both resilience and a strong sense of responsibility toward others. After studying political science and creative writing at Howard University, he worked as a journalist covering civil rights issues before dedicating himself fully to fiction. His novels are known for their sharp, empathetic portraits of marginalized communities and for weaving personal stories with broader political realities. Jenkins’s breakout novel, Shadows of Freedom, won national acclaim for its unflinching look at systemic inequality, while his more recent works explore themes of identity, resilience, and the fight for dignity in the face of oppression. Beyond his novels, James is an active public speaker, lecturing at universities and participating in nonprofit initiatives that support literacy and community empowerment. He believes that storytelling is a way to preserve history and inspire change. When not writing, James enjoys jazz music, mentoring young writers, and traveling with his family to explore cultures and stories around the world.
