The U.S. federal government 'shutdown' entered its 13th day on the 13th, and Treasury Secretary Bessonett stated that this round of the 'shutdown' has already begun to affect the national economy.
Bessonett said on a Fox Business Channel program that day that the 'situation is getting more serious,' and the government 'shutdown' has started to impact the real economy and affect people's daily lives.
He stated that in order to ensure military paychecks, the federal government has had to suspend paying wages to other federal employees and service institution staff, including employees under the Smithsonian Institution and the National Zoo.
The Smithsonian Institution announced on its website that, starting from the 12th, dozens of its museums, research centers, and the National Zoo are all closed due to the government 'shutdown.' According to the National Zoo's website, animals in the zoo 'will continue to be fed and cared for', but the animal live streams will be suspended.
The impact of the federal government 'shutdown' continues to spread nationwide. U.S. media reported that a shortage of air traffic controllers has caused more flight delays; on the 12th, nearly 8,000 flights nationwide were delayed and more than 270 flights were canceled. The government 'shutdown' has also affected the issuance of farmer subsidies and small business loans. The delay in the release of federal economic data has made it difficult for companies to make future plans.
According to USA Today, the government 'shutdown' has left the National Flood Insurance Program, relied on by millions of Americans, 'on the verge of paralysis.' Many people are unable to obtain federal flood insurance and therefore cannot secure home mortgages. Many homeowners may face months or even longer of disaster weather during the Atlantic hurricane season without flood insurance.
Senate Republican leader Thune said that the 13th is a U.S. public holiday, and the Senate will reconvene on the 14th, with an eighth vote on a temporary funding bill expected that evening.
However, both parties are still refusing to compromise on core issues such as healthcare-related benefit spending, making the prospect of a swift agreement bleak.