US President Donald Trump on Sunday, November 2, called on Democrats to end the government shutdown telling reporters, "All they have to do is open up the country." Democrats want Republicans to negotiate an extension of federal tax credits to help Americans purchase private health insurance before funding the government. Republicans want the government reopened before beginning negotiations. As a result of the impasse, nearly 42 million Americans will begin losing food assistance on Saturday, when funding for food stamp benefits is expected to lapse. About 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed since government funding ended. The Trump administration has taken steps to pay troops, federal law enforcement and immigration officers. Other federal employees are working without pay. The shutdown could cost the US economy between $7 billion and $14 billion, shaving up to 2% from gross domestic product in the fourth quarter due to the lapse in government spending, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
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