Lawmakers in Pa., NJ and Del. react as government shuts down

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Plunged into a government shutdown, the U.S. is confronting a fresh cycle of uncertainty after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday's deadline.

The Senate rejected the legislation as Democrats are making good on their threat to close the government if President Donald Trump and Republicans won't accede to their health care demands. The 55-45 vote on a bill to extend federal funding for seven weeks fell short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation.

"We know that if you have health care, everything else can work itself out, and if you don't have your health, almost nothing else matters," said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., on the Senate floor.

Republicans argue that health care provisions - including efforts to reverse Medicaid cuts and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies - should not be tied to the spending bill.

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Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was one of two Democrats and one independent to vote in favor of the GOP resolution.

"I voted AYE to extend ACA tax credits because I support them - but I won't vote for the chaos of shuttering our government," Fetterman posted on X, formerly Twitter.

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Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., also voted in favor and posted a video criticizing the shutdown.

"This is terrible for America. It's going to put a pause on spending that supports basic services and our military," McCormick said.

"Just stepping out of the Capitol for the first time after Republicans officially forced us into a gov't shutdown," said Senator Andy Kim, D-NJ. "It's hard to step away feeling so angry. How is giving families healthcare they can afford our breaking point? I won't give up on doing better by the American people."

What are the impacts?

Philadelphians will feel the effects of a shutdown. National parks, including Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, have traditionally closed to visitors during previous shutdowns.

About 4 million federal workers would go without pay, including members of the military. TSA agents would be required to report to work without a paycheck.

During the last shutdown in 2019, record numbers of TSA agents called out sick.

"It's a high-stress environment as it is. We're looking for bombs. We're looking for weapons. So you have to be on," said Joe Shuker, who represents the TSA workers' union. "To have this stress added - 'How am I going to feed my family? How am I going to pay my rent?' - it's too much added stress."

There's also concern that some federal workers could lose their jobs outright. The White House's Office of Management and Budget has warned of mass firings in programs deemed "not consistent with the president's priorities."

"There could be far-reaching implications beyond the budget resolution," said political analyst Ben Dworkin. "If these people get cut, they don't necessarily come back."

Travelers say they're worried about more than just their return flights.

"Two parties don't work together to come up with a solution. Everybody has forgotten how to compromise," said Steve Carden of Nashville.