How to Reopen the Government: What’s Really Going On in Washington
As the government shutdown drags on, there’s growing confusion about what’s actually holding things up. The truth is surprisingly simple—and entirely procedural.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• The House has already passed a clean Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open.
• The Senate must now vote for cloture—a 60-vote threshold to end debate and allow a final vote.
• This same CR has been passed 13 times before, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, including during the Biden administration.
• It maintains current funding levels—no cuts, no new spending, no policy changes.
So why the stalemate? Let’s break it down.
QUICK PRIMER: WHAT IS A FILIBUSTER?
In the U.S. Senate, a filibuster allows senators to extend debate and block a vote. To end a filibuster, the Senate must invoke cloture, requiring 60 votes under Senate Rule XXII. Without those 60 votes, a bill—no matter how bipartisan—can’t advance.
WHAT’S IN THE CURRENT CR?
A Continuing Resolution (CR) is a temporary measure that keeps the government funded when Congress hasn’t passed its full annual spending bills.
This particular CR is identical to versions that have passed more than a dozen times in recent years. It includes:
• No new riders or special-interest provisions
• No new spending or cuts
• No policy changes—just a short-term funding extension
In other words, this CR simply continues government operations at current (Biden-era) levels. That’s it.
WHAT’S THE REAL DISAGREEMENT ABOUT?
Despite claims to the contrary, the dispute isn’t about government funding itself—it’s about Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies that aren’t even in the CR.
Here are the facts:
• The enhanced ACA marketplace subsidies were created under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in 2021.
• They were always temporary, set to expire December 31, 2025, per the law passed by Democrats.
• The current CR does not change or eliminate these subsidies—they expire automatically under the original legislation.
Source: American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Section 9661.
WHY THE SUBSIDY DEBATE MATTERS
The enhanced ACA subsidies were intended to make insurance more affordable during COVID. But their repeated extensions—first under ARPA (2021) and again under the Inflation Reduction Act (2022)—raise a bigger question:
If the Affordable Care Act truly makes healthcare affordable, why does it need ongoing temporary subsidies to stay that way?
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), allowing the enhanced subsidies to expire would increase average premiums by 50–80% for many enrollees. Data from KFF shows ACA premiums have already more than doubled (100%+) in many states from 2013 to 2023.
A QUICK HISTORICAL NOTE ON HOW THE ACA PASSED
The ACA’s passage in 2010 was itself highly unusual:
1. The Senate passed a veterans’ healthcare bill.
2. The House replaced the text with the ACA.
3. The Senate then used budget reconciliation to pass it with 60 votes, avoiding a filibuster.
While legal, this process was controversial for sidestepping standard legislative order.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Senate Democratic minority is now filibustering a bill they’ve supported many times before, over a dispute unrelated to the legislation itself.
Until 60 senators vote for cloture, the government remains closed—not because of new spending or cuts, but because of procedural gridlock.
STAYING FOCUSED AMID POLITICAL NOISE
Government debates will come and go—but your financial goals are long term. At Otium Financial Planners, we help clients stay focused on what really matters: your peace of mind, your retirement, and your future.
Contact us today to create a plan that works for you—no matter what happens in Washington.