After a month-long shutdown, the US government is finally showing signs of reopening.

Author: Ye Huiwen Source: Wall Street News

After a political deadlock lasting more than a month that led to a partial shutdown of the US federal government, Washington has finally shown initial signs of thawing. Senior members of Congress from both parties have begun to release cautiously optimistic signals, suggesting that there may be a path to break the deadlock, bringing some relief to market concerns about the stability of the US economy and politics.

According to Reuters, the latest positive developments came from senior Senate Republicans. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters on Monday that he was "optimistic" about ending the government shutdown and believed that "we are approaching an 'exit'." This is seen as a small but significant shift in tone, breaking the absolute deadlock of the previous weeks.

However, while Democrats also perceive progress, they have also pointed out key obstacles.

"I feel that way too," said Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, but quickly added, "We're still stuck on the issue of healthcare costs." This indicates that any final agreement must address the Medicaid issue, a key concern for Democrats. The standoff between Congress and President Trump has lasted 34 days since the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, resulting in a widespread shutdown of federal programs. This impasse has frozen approximately $1.7 trillion in discretionary government funds, representing one-third of total annual U.S. spending. Thousands of federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay, impacting critical services ranging from low-income family assistance and military salaries to airport operations, placing immense political pressure on lawmakers. Cautious Stance from Top Party Officials Hopes for ending the shutdown stem largely from subtle shifts in the attitudes of senior figures on Capitol Hill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, while expressing optimism, cautioned against rushing things, suggesting the negotiations remained fragile. His comments were seen as a key indicator that Republican leadership might be actively seeking a solution. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins, a Republican, also revealed that efforts by staff from both sides over the weekend had made progress, with Democrats offering concrete wording to break the deadlock. "It feels much better this week," she said. But she also warned, "Everything could still fall apart again, and I'm not suggesting a deal has been reached." These statements collectively paint a cautious picture: negotiations are ongoing, but the outcome is far from certain. Healthcare subsidies remain a key sticking point. The biggest obstacle facing both parties is the expiring US health insurance subsidy. Democrats have linked government funding to extending this subsidy, making it a central sticking point in the negotiations. As Senator Durbin stated, both sides remain "stuck" on how to handle healthcare costs. This impasse has a direct impact on people's livelihoods. With the shutdown continuing, some low-income families' food stamp benefits are expiring or they are only receiving partial payments. This issue is not only a focal point of political maneuvering but also directly affects the vital interests of millions of Americans, increasing the urgency of reaching a compromise. Moderate lawmakers seek compromise. While the leadership is testing the waters, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is trying to find a breakthrough from the outside. According to media reports, a group of four moderate House members (three Republicans and one Democrat) has proposed a compromise. The plan suggests extending the Affordable Care Act's expanded tax credit for two years, but simultaneously setting new income thresholds for those whose income falls within the eligibility range. Since October 1, bipartisan groups in the Senate have held sporadic closed-door meetings to try to break the deadlock, but without success. This concrete proposal from moderates in the House represents a new attempt to break the political deadlock in Washington.