A looming US government shutdown hinges on controversial provisions in a Republican-led funding bill that would prohibit federal funding for gender-affirming care for both transgender adults and minors.
The proposed legislation has created a deadlock in Congress, with Democrats refusing to back the bill in its current form. Without a resolution by 12:01 am (Eastern) on Wednesday, 1 October, large parts of the federal government will be forced to cease operations.
Former President Donald Trump, whose influence remains strong over the Republican-controlled Senate and House of Representatives, initially declined to negotiate with Democrats. He accused Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer of making “unserious and ridiculous demands”.
Earlier this month, Trump took to Truth Social to demand support for a clause in the appropriations bill that would block federal funding for any hospital or medical facility offering gender-affirming healthcare—such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—to people of any age.
If the bill becomes law, it would effectively ban gender-affirming surgeries, remove Medicaid health insurance coverage for transgender people, and prohibit Pride flags from being displayed on public buildings, including schools and universities.
Despite Trump’s eventual agreement to meet with Democrats, transgender advocates are urging lawmakers not to compromise on the issue.
“These are not budgetary measures, they are ideological attacks,” read one viral Reddit post, which called on the public to contact their senators and representatives to defend “the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ Americans”.
The poster continued: “These measures would erase protections, endanger lives and weaponise federal funding to coerce institutions into abandoning care. For many, access to HRT and affirming care is not optional, it’s life-saving.
“Democrats have the power to stop all this happening if they hold the line in the senate.”
In anticipation of further restrictions, several hospitals have already ceased offering gender-affirming care to transgender youth.
Speaking to NBC before his scheduled meeting with Trump, Senator Chuck Schumer expressed cautious optimism.
“If the president at this meeting is going to rant, and just yell at Democrats, and talk about all his alleged grievances, and say this, that and the other, we won’t get anything done,” he said. “We don’t want a shutdown. We hope they sit down and have a serious negotiation with us.”
