The truth beneath Republicans’ shutdown strategy

As the government shutdown lurches into its third week, it’s becoming apparent that Republicans are unwilling to budge on the central issue that’s left the government closed.

Democrats are demanding extensions to premium Affordable Care Act subsidies in exchange for their help ending the shutdown, and have said they’d also like a repeal of a central health care provision from Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Republicans say they’re willing to discuss the former after the government reopens, and that the latter is a nonstarter...