The U.S. government faces a potential shutdown as Senate Democrats and Republicans clash over the future of expanded Obamacare subsidies. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., asserted that the subsidies should not be framed as an increase in the national deficit, while Republicans like Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., warned that the subsidies were a temporary pandemic-era measure and that their continuation would hurt the economy. The debate, which has stalled government funding talks, underscores deepening disagreements over healthcare affordability and fiscal policy. With Republicans needing at least seven Democratic votes to push forward, the standoff continues to deepen.