Tangle The government shuts down.
Oct 1, 2025
Ari Weitzman, the Managing Editor of Tangle, dives into the recent government shutdown, revealing how congressional dysfunction stretches beyond party lines. He critiques Chuck Schumer's strategy and highlights Speaker Mike Johnson's failures to address the appropriations process. Weitzman also discusses the pervasive distrust of Trump's administration, rooted in broken promises. To lighten the mood, a segment on hopeful gene therapy for Huntington's disease offers a glimmer of optimism amidst the chaos.
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How A Shutdown Actually Works
- Government shutdowns halt many services while essential operations continue, creating uneven impact across agencies.
- The failure stems from Congress not passing 12 appropriations bills or a continuing resolution by Oct 1st.
The Senate Vote Math Problem
- Passing a funding bill requires 60 votes in the Senate, giving the minority de facto leverage.
- That supermajority rule makes shutdown avoidance depend on cross-party agreement or compromise.
Both Sides Cast Blame Differently
- Republicans frame Democratic demands as unreasonable 'ransom' and blame them for the shutdown.
- Democrats insist their priorities—like ACA subsidies and reversing health cuts—are central to negotiations.