WASHINGTON – Senators rejected two plans – one backed by Democrats and one by Republicans – that would have kept the government’s doors open as a shutdown is set to start at midnight tonight.
Trump and fellow Republican leaders in Congress were seeking an extension of current spending to keep the government funded through Nov. 21. The temporary funding patch was aimed at giving lawmakers time to negotiate a full year of funding for the year that starts Oct. 1. Trump has threatened federal layoffs and program cuts if the shutdown happens.
But Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer in the Senate and Hakeem Jeffries in the House have argued that failing to extend federal subsidies for Obamacare, a marketplace for health insurance, will leave many people uncovered.
If the government closes its doors, services that are deemed “essential” will continue operating despite a lapse in federal funding. For example, the U.S. Postal Service will continue delivering mail. The Social Security Administration will continue sending out retirement checks. Much of the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security will remain on the clock.
But “non-essential” services could be significantly reduced. The National Park Service, for example, saw a reduction in visitor services and a buildup of trash during a 35-day shutdown in December 2018 and January 2019, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
Here is what you need to know as the clock ticks down on the expiration of federal funding at midnight:
When will lawmakers return to Washington?
There’s no clear sign that Congress is set to resolve its differences over government funding. Even so, the Senate will reconvene at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Votes are expected at 11 a.m., and again later in the afternoon.
The House of Representatives, meanwhile, won’t be in session at all. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, is keeping lawmakers in recess in order to pressure Democrats. – Zach Schermele
What’s on President Trump’s schedule Wednesday?
President Donald Trump is planning on the first day of the government shutdown to sign executive orders in the Oval Office at 4:30 p.m., according to the White House.
Earlier in the day, Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to be on ‘CBS Mornings’ at 7 a.m. EST, according to the network.
At 1 p.m., White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is scheduled to address reporters during a press briefing. – Sarah D. Wire
As shutdown creeps closer, all is quiet at the Capitol
The halls were quiet in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday night, even as the White House instructed federal agencies to prepare for a partial government shutdown.
Under no illusion of breaching their differences before midnight, lawmakers scurried out from the Senate chamber not long after voting against dueling funding measures. Once those bills failed – as expected – Republican and Democratic leaders retreated to press conferences, at which they blamed each other for the impending fiscal crisis.
The Senate adjourned at 8:24 p.m. – Zach Schermele
Trump turns whitehouse.gov into countdown clock
The official website for the White House and presidency, whitehouse.gov, now declares a “Democrat shutdown is imminent” and displays a ticker clock more normally seen in the corner of cable news shows.
The page also includes a red ticker across the top of the page directing people to previous comments Democrats have made about shutdowns.
Earlier in the day the Department of Housing and Urban Development took a political approach, posting a pop-up message on its website that blamed Democrats in Congress for the impasse. As of 9 p.m. ET it was the only Cabinet-level agency to change its website in such a way. -Sarah D. Wire
White House directs government to ‘execute their plans’ for shutdown
The White House directed federal departments to begin carrying out their plans for a government shutdown after Democrats blocked a Republican-backed proposal Tuesday night that sought to keep the government funding through Nov. 21.
“It is now clear that Democrats will prevent passage of this clean (continuing resolution) prior to 11:59 p.m. tonight and force a government shutdown,” White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought wrote in a memo to department heads. “As such, affected agencies should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.”
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are expected to be placed on furloughs during a shutdown, while workers in essential services such as the military and law enforcement won’t be paid while they work.
Trump has warned Democrats that his administration might also lay off “vast numbers” of federal workers and cut programs supported by Democrats under a shutdown.
Democrats on Congress have demanded the reversal of Medicaid cuts that Republicans passed this year and the extension of health care subsidies be included in a funding measure. The Republican-backed continuing resolution would have kept spending at current levels. – Joey Garrison
HUD website blasts Democrats for shutdown in pop-up banner
While other federal agencies were rolling out their contingency plans in the event of a federal shutdown, the Department of Housing and Urban Development took a political approach, posting a pop-up message on its website that blamed Democrats in Congress for the impasse.
“The Radical Left are going to shut down the government and inflict massive pain on the American people unless they get their $1.5 trillion wish list of demands. The Trump administration wants to keep the government open for the American people,” the message says.
The message came under quick criticism and was pegged as a violation of a federal law that prevents federal workers from using government resources to engage in political activity.
“It is COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE, not to mention ILLEGAL, to use an agency web page for such a partisan message. No previous administration, Republican or Democrat, would ever have done this,” Paul Jargowsky, a professor of Public Policy at Rutgers University – Camden said on X. – Francesca Chambers
Trump says ‘a lot of good’ can come from a government shutdown
Hours before the government is set to close its doors, Trump said “a lot of good” can result from a shutdown because it would allow his administration to scrap programs and other spending it doesn’t want.
“We’re doing well as a country, so the last thing we want to do is shut it down,” Trump said from the Oval Office in response to a question from a reporter. “But a lot of good can come down from shutdowns. We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn’t want. They’d be Democrat things.”
Trump has warned that his administration could lay off federal workers under a shutdown – an action that hasn’t historically been taken during temporary stoppages of the federal government.
The president has showed no signs he will concede to demands of congressional Democrats, who have pushed for extending federal subsidies for Obamacare as part of a measure to fund the government. −Joey Garrison
Does Social Security stop in a government shutdown?
The Social Security Administration is projected to pay out $1.6 trillion to 72 million beneficiaries this year, making it a vital economic lifeline for much of the country.
A shutdown won’t disrupt those payments.
Social Security is a mandatory spending program that is not subject to annual appropriations. However, staffing and some services could be impacted if they have a discretionary spending component, according to the Committee for a Responsible Budget, a nonprofit that studies federal fiscal policy.
Sen. John Kennedy: No way out of a shutdown
Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, gave a candid assessment from the Senate floor of the prospects of any shutdown off-ramps.
“Once you shut the government down, you’ve got to get it back open,” he said. “How are they going to get it back open? We’re not going to agree to their demands.”
Though he characterized his colleagues across the aisle, including Schumer, as “smart people,” he said pressure from the Democrats’ base has blinded them to the harsh realities a shutdown will bring to Americans’ lives.
How is Veterans Affairs impacted by a government shutdown?
The VA estimates that 97% of its employees continue work during a shutdown. But according to the department’s contingency plan, here’s what services would be impacted:
- VA will stop providing transition program assistant and career counseling.
- VA’s GI Bill and National Cemetery Applicant Assistance hotlines will be closed.
- VA benefits regional offices will be closed.
- Public affairs and outreach to veterans will cease, including social media, VetResources emails and responses to press inquires.
- No grounds maintenance or placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries.
- Applications for pre-need burial at VA cemeteries won’t be processed.
- No printing of new Presidential Memorial Certificates.
- Not outreach to state, county, tribal, municipal, faith-based and community-based partners by VA Center Office.
What does a government shutdown mean for student loans?
In the event of a government shutdown, borrowers would still be required to make payments on their outstanding student debt.
The Department of Education will continue to disburse Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student loans, according to the department’s contingency plan. As available, permanent and multi-year appropriations will also be used to continue processing Free Applications for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, the plan said.
During a lapse in funding, the department would cease any new grantmaking activities; however, grant programs typically make awards over the summer.
Borrowers with a question or dispute related to their loan may have a tougher time reaching the department, as it plans to furlough the majority of its staff.
Experts say while most borrowers won’t “feel” a short shutdown, more issues could arise the longer it takes those in Washington to make a deal. − Rachel Barber
Unions sue Trump administration over mass firing threats
Two unions say they are suing the Trump administration for threatening mass firings of federal workers in the event of a government shutdown.
The American Federation of Government Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a federal lawsuit in San Francisco on Tuesday. They are accusing the Office of Management and Budget and its director, Russ Vought, of violating the law with their threats to fire federal workers during a shutdown.
The lawsuit also names the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and its director, Scott Kupor. The suit alleges that the OPM and Kupor issued “unlawful and unprecedented instructions” to federal workers to perform work during the federal government shutdown in order to carry out layoffs.
− Terry Collins
What does it mean to be furloughed?
A furlough is the “placing of an employee in a temporary nonduty, non-pay status because of lack of work or funds, or other non-disciplinary reasons,” according to the Office of Personnel Management.
When an agency does not have enough funds, such as in the case of a government shutdown, a “shutdown” furlough occurs. Those employees not categorized as “excepted,” or essential, pause their work.
Job-matching and hiring site Indeed describes a furlough as mandatory time off, typically implemented by companies as a cost-saving measure. Furloughs are temporary and the length of a furlough leave can vary, “from a reduction of hours per week to several months without work,” according to Indeed’s definition.
What is a government shutdown? Here’s what it means and how it works
Each fiscal year, Congress appropriates funds for federal agencies to operate. If Congress does not agree on appropriations or a temporary spending bill (called a continuing resolution), federal agencies must effectively shut down or stop normal spending, according to the United States Office of Personnel Management.
An exception is made for certain jobs or services deemed essential, which continue to operate.
Who is Russ Vought?
Russ Vought leads the White House Office of Management and Budget. He is expected to play a major role in how the government functions during the expected shutdown, including whether there are mass layoffs of federal employees instead of furloughs.
According to reports first published by Politico, Vought instructed agencies to prepare reduction in force plans, or layoffs, for all employees whose work “is not consistent with the President’s priorities.” Democrats dismissed it as an intimidation tactic. The administration has begun rehiring some of the tens of thousands of federal employees laid off earlier this year.
Vought, who also lead the agency during Trump’s first term, is responsible for overseeing the president’s budget, reviewing federal regulations and setting funding priorities for executive agencies.
He was the key architect of the controversial policy blueprint known as Project 2025, much of which has been implemented during Trump’s second term. Vought is credited with authoring the chapter on executive power.
Does the military get paid during a government shutdown?
All active-duty U.S. military personnel stay on the job, but nearly half of the Department of War’s 741,477 civilian employees could face furloughs, according to a contingency plan released by the department.
Another part of the military that would remain on the job would be the National Nuclear Security Administration, which oversees nuclear weapons.
How many government shutdowns have there been? When was the longest government shutdown?
There have been 20 government shutdowns lasting at least one full day since 1975, with most taking place before 1995 and half being very brief.
Prior to the 1980’s government shutdowns where agencies shut down didn’t really exist if Congress didn’t approve a new spending authorization. Instead, agencies would often continue to operate with the expectation that funding would be provided in the future, according to the Congressional Research Service.
Then, in 1980 and 1981 U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti wrote a series of legal opinions that established the basis for government shutdowns, saying that agencies needed to strictly follow the Anti-deficiency Act, a longstanding law that prohibits government agencies from spending money more than the amount Congress provided them by law.
The longest shutdown since those opinions began at the end of the day on Dec. 21, 2018, and lasted 35 days.
The second longest lasted 21 days from Dec. 16, 1995, to Jan. 6, 1996.
The third longest shutdown began October 1, 2013 and lasted for a total of 16 days.
Does a government shutdown affect flights?
For the most part, no. Air passengers should still be able to continue with their flights during a partial government shutdown.
Those workers who screen at airport security checkpoints, give flight clearance, and verify at border control are deemed essential, so they are still required to work.
Instead, a shutdown puts federal funding on hold for agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, and Customs and Border Protection. As a result, actions like hiring or training are put on hold, and workers aren’t paid until the issue is resolved. – Kathleen Wong
What happens to Medicare and Medicaid during a shutdown?
The federal Medicare and Medicaid health insurance programs are also considered mandatory spending, meaning benefits won’t be impacted if the government shuts down.
Nearly 71 million people were enrolled in Medicaid for lower-income families and the disabled as of May 2025. And 69 million enrolled in Medicare for the elderly.
Trump expects shutdown over health care impasse
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office a shutdown is “probably likely” because of what he described as Democrats insisting on providing Medicaid health insurance for undocumented immigrants.
“We’ll probably have a shutdown,” Trump said. “Nothing is inevitable but I would say it’s probably likely.”
Republican leaders said their aim is to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits and to require 80 hours of work or volunteer service per month to receive benefits.
About 10 million people are expected to lose coverage under the changes, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The figure includes 7.5 million losing Medicaid and 2.1 million losing coverage under Obamacare, known formally as the Affordable Care Act.
Democrats focused after meeting with Trump on Sept. 29 on extending federal subsidies for Obamacare. Schumer said middle-class families could see premiums rise $400 per month as they begin signing up Nov. 1 for next year’s coverage.
Schumer: Republicans lying about our demands
Senate Democrats pushed back hard Tuesday as top Republicans allege that their health care demands would benefit undocumented immigrants.
“Not a single sentence or clause or comma in our bill does that,” Schumer told reporters.
Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, was more frank.
“If it seems like the only sentence that Republicans can form these days consists of a noun, verb, and illegal immigrant, that’s because they have to resort to outright lies to defend their truly God-awful health care policies,” she said.
Trump warns of layoffs, program cuts
Trump warned Democrats that he could take “irreversible” actions such as layoffs of federal workers, rather than furloughs in a traditional shutdown, and the elimination of federal programs.
“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people and cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “They’re taking a risk by having a shutdown.”
More Americans view Trump, congressional leaders unfavorably: poll
Americans view Trump and each of the four congressional leaders more unfavorably than positively, according to a Pew Research Center poll of 3,445 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 22 to 25.
A majority of 58% of respondents viewed Trump unfavorably, compared to 40% favorable, according to the poll.
But congressional leaders fared not much better − and were less well known. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, had a 38% unfavorable rating and 25% favorable, according to the survey. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, had a 26% unfavorable rating to 16% favorable.
Jeffries had a 30% unfavorable rating and 24% favorable, according to the survey. Schumer had a 50% unfavorable rating and 21% favorable.
The remainder of respondents said they had never heard of the lawmakers.
Do rockets still launch during a government shutdown? How NASA could feel the effects
NASA is far from immune to the effects of a looming government shutdown if congressional leaders fail to reach an agreement before midnight to prevent one.
At stake for the U.S. space agency if the federal government grinds to a halt? The progress of many of its science missions and access to its public outreach arm. NASA’s contingency plan for a shutdown, outlined in a guide from 2018, emphasizes that only “activities which are necessary to prevent harm to life or property” would be exempt from ceasing operations during a shutdown.
That means the vast majority of NASA’s employees would be sent home without pay and all but its most critical operations – including management of the International Space Station – would be paused.
The potential for a shutdown also comes as the agency is already bracing for severe funding cuts and layoffs under Trump‘s latest budget proposal. – Eric Lagatta
Contributing: Reuters
