With Malice Toward None

Another year, another political cliff. As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government has entered a partial shutdown caused by the failure of Congress to pass either the 12 annual appropriations bills or a stopgap continuing resolution. This avoidable failure ceases all non-essential federal functions, with the duration hinging on the speed of legislative reconciliation. Without a clear timeline, executive uncertainty will be the topic of the day for the immediate future.

The primary disagreement driving this impasse is rooted in health care policy, not line-item spending figures. Congressional Democrats are refusing to give Republicans the . . .