(DCNF)—Republican Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy said Thursday on Fox News that he expects the government shutdown to drag on for days as bipartisan negotiations remain stalled in the Senate.
Democrats vowed Thursday to keep the government shut down, saying that reopening it too soon could damage the party’s brand after their sweeping election wins earlier in the week. Appearing on “The Ingraham Angle,” Kennedy predicted the shutdown could stretch another week or two and said he’s run out of options after repeatedly voting to reopen the government while Democrats continue blocking those efforts.
“I think we’re going to be shut down at least 10 more days, maybe two weeks, maybe longer than that. And I don’t know what else to do. I’ve voted 14 times to open up government. They’ve voted 14 times to keep it closed down,” Kennedy told host Laura Ingraham. “And all they ever do is talk and stamp their little feet and keep government shut down and blame up.”
Kennedy said he entered the week optimistic after hearing some colleagues predict the impasse could end by Thursday or Friday, but those hopes faded quickly.
“I watched this weekend where some of my colleagues said, ‘We’ll be out of the shutdown by Thursday, by Friday.’ They were very confident. So I entered the week optimistic, and some of my Republican colleagues are meeting with the Democrats. In fact, most members of the Senate are running around like ants in a sugar bowl, like a bunch of headless chickens,” Kennedy said. “But in my opinion, we’re nowhere near getting out of this shutdown.”
Kennedy dismissed claims that moderate Democrats are ready to break ranks and support a deal to reopen the government, saying he’s not convinced by their promises.
“The Democrats, supposedly we were told today at lunch that we’re going to have a vote tomorrow and that the so-called moderate Democrats have come together and they’re going to support us. I think they’re still stamping their little feet,” Kennedy said. “I don’t believe they will support us. And I’ve never believed any of this stuff. Around here, it’s not what you say, it’s what you do that shows what you believe, and everything else is just cottage cheese.”
Republicans proposed ending the shutdown by moving forward with three full-year spending measures and opening talks on reinstating laid-off federal employees, but their plan leaves out the issue of expiring Obamacare subsidies, Politico reported. Ongoing negotiations have deepened divisions among Democrats, with several lawmakers refusing to support reopening the government unless the final deal guarantees an extension of the enhanced Obamacare subsidies, a measure that both House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Donald Trump supported.
The Trump administration has begun redirecting tariff revenue to fill the funding gap for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program. It has also allocated roughly half of the money needed to keep the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program running through November.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.