The first federal government shutdown in seven years began at midnight Tuesday, as negotiations between Republicans and Democrats broke down. With both sides refusing to compromise, a lapse in funding triggered a political standoff, just as the 2026 congressional elections begin to take shape.

Democrats blamed Republicans for the shutdown, arguing the GOP refused to protect healthcare for Americans. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer posted, “The Republican shutdown has just begun because they wouldn’t protect Americans’ health care.” However, Republicans pushed back, accusing Democrats of holding the government hostage to force through expanded healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants.

Vice President J.D. Vance claimed Democrats were prioritizing “hundreds of billions of dollars” in taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants, while House Speaker Mike Johnson alleged that Schumer’s resistance stemmed from fear of a potential primary challenge from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Republicans also criticized Democrats for demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, warning it would lead to expanded benefits for non-citizens.

Schumer, however, defended the Democratic position, arguing Republicans had refused to negotiate and were allowing healthcare coverage to lapse for millions. He insisted that Americans supported the Democratic stance and blamed Republicans for sabotaging healthcare policy. Still, critics questioned why Democrats didn’t fix the system when they had full control during President Biden’s first two years.

The shutdown has put added pressure on Schumer’s leadership. Critics point to his earlier compromise with Republicans to avoid a shutdown in the spring and suggest he may now be overcorrecting to appease progressive activists. With midterm races looming, the political fallout from the shutdown is already influencing campaign messaging on both sides.