The United States is rapidly moving towards a situation of federal state paralysis, plunging the country into uncertainty and confusion. Both President Joe Biden and the Republicans are blaming each other, creating a tense political climate that jeopardizes the proper functioning of the country.
If no last minute agreement is reached, it is almost certain that the American economy will slow down from October 1. Nearly 1.5 million civil servants will be left without pay, air traffic will be disrupted and national parks will be closed.
Despite optimistic statements from the director of the White House Budget Office, Shalanda Young, it seems increasingly unlikely that elected Democrats and Republicans will reach an agreement before the deadline. Neither the Senate, controlled by Democrats, nor the House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, managed to adopt a finance law to extend the federal state budget.
This political-financial standoff was fueled by Republicans in the House of Representatives, particularly those who support former President Donald Trump. This group, which enjoys considerable power due to the slim Republican majority in the House, categorically refuses to include aid to Ukraine in any budget law. Donald Trump himself ordered his supporters to “paralyze” the federal state, unless they obtain satisfaction on all current budget files.
This paralysis of the federal state recalls the precedent under the presidency of Donald Trump, when the United States experienced its longest “shutdown” in history. This crisis had cost the American economy billions of dollars and had a considerable impact on the daily lives of Americans.
With only a few hours before the deadline, the country is therefore preparing for a new period of closure of public services. Civil servants will have to wait until the paralysis ends to receive their salaries, while national parks and air traffic will be severely disrupted. In addition, some food aid recipients could be temporarily deprived of this assistance.
This situation only increases political tensions and endangers the national security of the United States. It also raises concerns about the long-term economic consequences of this paralysis of the federal state.
It is therefore urgent that elected Democrats and Republicans find common ground and put aside their political differences for the good of the country. The American people deserve responsible governance and decision-making based on the public interest. Let us hope that solutions will be found quickly to avoid the harmful consequences of a paralysis of the federal state.