Shutdown Begins As Senate Talks Collapse
On October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government officially entered a shutdown after Congress and the White House failed to agree on a funding extension. This is the first government shutdown since 2018, and the second under President Donald Trump’s presidency.
The last shutdown in the U.S. lasted a record 35 days — from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019.
The Republican Party controls both chambers of Congress, but 60 votes are required to pass a bill in the Senate, so a resolution was impossible without Democratic support.
According to NBC News, the two sides were unable to agree on a bipartisan compromise: senators rejected both the Republican and Democratic versions of the legislation just hours before the deadline.
It’s unclear how long the government shutdown will last. Democrats are demanding increased healthcare funding, including continued Obamacare subsidies, while Republicans insist they won’t allow themselves to be held “hostage,” the publication noted.
As a result, according to the Congressional Budget Office, approximately 750,000 federal workers are being furloughed without pay, while others, including Transportation Security Administration agents, air traffic controllers, federal law enforcement officers, and military personnel must continue working without pay. All are expected to receive compensation once the government reopens. Covering salaries during the shutdown is estimated to cost taxpayers about $400 million.
Trump previously hinted that he might fire “many” federal employees during the shutdown. The White House is counting on Democrats to shoulder responsibility.
“It will be difficult for Democrats to explain why they won’t agree to a ‘clean’ bill to keep the government open,” an administration official said.
At the same time, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans:
“Republicans are plunging America into a shutdown—by rejecting bipartisan negotiations, pushing a partisan bill, and risking the American healthcare system above all else. They must sit down with Democrats to pass a bipartisan bill.”
The official order to suspend federal operations was issued by White House Budget Director Russell Vought. In a memorandum, he noted: “It’s unclear how long Democrats will maintain their unacceptable position, making it difficult to predict the duration of the shutdown.”
Furthermore, a New York Times/Siena poll found that 26% of Americans blame Trump and Republicans, 19% blame Democrats, 33% blame both parties, and 21% were undecided. According to Marist University, 38% blame Republicans, 27% blame Democrats, and 31% blame both parties.
What Triggered The Shutdown
The immediate trigger was the Senate’s 60‑vote threshold for a continuing resolution, which neither party’s proposal could clear after hours of negotiations and failed votes. Democrats pushed for additional healthcare funding, including Affordable Care Act subsidies, while Republicans sought a clean stopgap without policy riders.
With both partisan plans failing close to the deadline, the Office of Management and Budget initiated contingency plans: furloughs for non‑essential personnel and unpaid work for essential staff, with back pay expected after reopening.
How Long Will It Last
The duration depends on whether leaders pivot to a narrow, date‑certain continuing resolution that omits contentious policy riders and can attract at least 60 votes in the Senate.
Historically, shutdowns have ranged from brief pauses to multi‑week standoffs, and longer gaps compound service delays, backlogs, and broader economic costs.
Early impacts include widespread furloughs, essential staff working without pay, and escalating operational disruptions until a bipartisan bridge can be passed.
