Day 22 of the government shutdown, and if you’re wondering how we got here, it’s simple: Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House, but they still need 60 votes in the Senate to pass anything. Democrats have just enough senators to block, and they’re using it.

The Republican position? “We’ve passed a clean funding bill 11 times. Democrats keep blocking it because they want healthcare subsidies extended. This is extortion. Open the government first, then we’ll talk healthcare.”

The Democratic position? “Those Affordable Care Act subsidies expire Nov. 1. Twenty-four million people are about to see their premiums double. Also, you cut Medicaid in July. Fix it now, or we don’t budge.”

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