The US government shutdown entered its third day on Friday and is likely to continue into next week as Republicans and Democrats remain deadlocked over a funding deal. The Senate is scheduled to vote at 1:30 p.m. on competing short-term funding proposals.
The House-passed Republican plan would fund the government until November 21, while the Democratic proposal extends funding only through October but includes an extension of health care tax credits, a key demand for Democrats.
“To end this shutdown, the House passed a responsible temporary funding plan, but the Senate has to take immediate action. Federal workers and Americans who depend on government services are affected by this shutdown.”- House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
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Contents
US Government Shutdown Live Updates
The US federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year due to partisan disagreements. The shutdown is now in its third day. Essential services like Medicare, Medicaid, TSA, and Amtrak continue, while many agencies like NIH, CDC, and WIC face operational suspensions.
Majority Leader John Thune has indicated it is unlikely there will be a weekend vote to end the shutdown, meaning it will likely continue into next week. The Trump administration has taken a hard stance, threatening cuts to Democrat agencies and mass layoffs of federal workers during the shutdown, which has drawn criticism and concern for federal employee’s job security.
The Senate was expected to vote again on funding proposals to try to resolve the impasse, but significant disagreement remains between Republicans, led by President Trump, and Democrats regarding health care subsidies and Medicaid funding.
“I believe that shutdowns are generally foolish and that no one benefits from them. We really shouldn’t be closing down the government. This can be avoided. “If the Republican measure doesn’t move forward, it’s unlikely that the Senate will try to break the impasse over the weekend.”- Senate Majority Leader John Thune
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Senate to vote on stopgap funding measures today
The Senate is scheduled to vote today on competing stopgap funding measures to try to end the government shutdown. The House-passed Republican measure would fund the government through November 21 but does not include an extension of health care tax credits, which is a key demand from Democrats.
The Democratic proposal would extend funding only through October but includes the health care tax credit extension. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled it is unlikely the Senate will work through the weekend to break the deadlock if the Republican measure fails. This vote represents a critical moment in the ongoing negotiations, but with deep partisan disagreements remaining, no quick resolution is expected.
Reason for shutdown
The reason for the US government shutdown in October 2025 is:
- A failure by Congress to agree on and pass the federal budget appropriations for the fiscal year 2026.
- Partisan deadlock over federal spending levels, with Republicans demanding significant budget cuts and rescissions of foreign aid.
- Democrats demanding extensions of expiring ACA health care subsidies and reversal of Medicaid cuts to prevent insurance premium spikes.
- Republicans framing ACA subsidies and certain spending as unacceptable expansions of government handouts.
- The Senate lacking the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster and pass either the Democratic or Republican funding proposals.
- President Trump and Republican leaders opposing Democratic healthcare demands tied to government funding, refusing compromise.
- The failure of both party-backed bills in the Senate just before the October 1 deadline triggered the shutdown.
Trump to determine which Democrat agencies will be cut
President Donald Trump has stated that he will determine which Democrat Agencies will face budget cuts amid the government shutdown. He indicated that he is permitted to cut funding for agencies that he believes should never have received approval in the first place and that he will likely proceed with such cuts. Trump’s administration, including Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, is coordinating on halting or canceling billions in authorized funding deemed wasteful.
This move is part of a broader strategy to pressure Democrats during the shutdown by targeting agencies led or supported by them. The President emphasized that this shutdown carries risks but framed the cuts as necessary budget discipline amidst ongoing negotiations.
They are taking risk by shutting down. “I will probably go ahead and cut items that should not have been approved in the first place, as I am allowed to do.” Threatened to lay off employees and reduce funding for “Democrat Agencies” during shutdown.”- President Donald Trump
Russel Vought- The person who will decide the fate of government shutdown
White House Budget Director Russell Vought is the only person who can now decide the shutdown’s fate. Vought, who is credited with creating the controversial Project 2025, now has the authority to decide which federal employees and programs will remain open or close during the shutdown. Vought, a George Washington University Law School and Wheaton College alumnus, built his career in conservative circles and become one of President Trump’s most reliable allies.
“Funding for critical services has been prioritized, and government agencies have been instructed to get ready for a peaceful shutdown. However, until the budget deadlock is addressed, we are also suspending financing for some Democratic-led programs.”- White House Budget Director Russell Vought
Shutdown to continue longer?
The government shutdown is likely to continue longer, potentially into next week and beyond. Federal workers number in the hundreds of thousands already affected by the shutdown. Some are forced to continue working for no pay, while others are remaining at home unpaid.
Since most US Capitol was closed on Thursday in observance of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, no votes were held. It’s unclear if any new plans will be presented to break the current standoff, but the Senate will reconvene on Friday and might hold more votes.
FAQ’s
Why is the government shut down?
Congress failed to agree on funding bills, causing a lapse in appropriations starting October 1, 2025.
Which services remain open?
Essential services like Social Security payments, Medicare, military operations, TSA, and air traffic control continue.
Are federal employees paid?
Many federal workers are furloughed without pay; essential workers work without pay but receive retroactive wages after shutdown ends.
Will Social Security payments stop?
No, Social Security and SSI payments continue on schedule.
How long will the shutdown last?
Uncertain, but as per latest news it may last into next week or longer.