WASHINGTON (7News) — Federal workers could soon lose their first paycheck, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) warns the government shutdown could approach historic lengths.
On Monday, Johnson signaled Republicans and Democrats were not close on a deal to reopen the government.
“This is where we’re going to be headed: We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” Johnson said.
It has been almost two full weeks since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. The 2018-2019 shutdown was the longest in history, lasting 35 days.
One federal worker, who asked not to share her identity, told 7News that she could soon miss her first paycheck.
“I’m getting paid through Nov. 1. After that, I will have no paycheck until all of this is done,” the federal worker said. “I could lose my apartment. I could lose my car. I’m going to lose my healthcare and I have children I need to take care of, so I won’t be able to feed them. It’s devastating.”
Oct. 15 also marks the first day members of the military would miss their first paycheck, though President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that he has authorized funds to be used to pay them.
Both parties are at odds over a key healthcare provision left out of the spending bill lawmakers must pass to end the shutdown.
The current piece of legislation, passed by the House and currently being voted on in the Senate, does not extend the tax credits designed to make health insurance more affordable through the Affordable Care Act.
Democrats have insisted this subsidy be included in any deal.
“People are already starting to get notices in Virginia and elsewhere about premium spikes,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.). “I do think there’s space for a deal very soon within the month of October. We should be able to find a deal.”
However, Republicans have said this measure could be discussed as a separate bill.
“End it. End it. Open the government, and then have these negotiations. We were always planning to do that, to negotiate on the other issues,” Johnson said.
As the clock keeps ticking, the federal worker who spoke with 7News said she is exhausted by the political fighting.
“Years and years ago, we didn’t have shutdowns,” the federal worker said. “The government was able to continuously fund itself. I don’t understand why in recent memory we’ve gotten like this. So, yeah, it’s really frustrating that we keep going over and over the same thing.”
