LIVE – Updated at 02:34
The office of President Donald Trump’s budget has instructed federal agencies to implement shutdown plans following ashort-term financial bill did not pass in the Senate Tuesday evening.
Lawmakers have until midnight to reach an agreement on a plan to finance the government, but following the failure of two bills proposed by each party in the Senate,a shutdown is all but guaranteed.
In their own efforts, on Tuesday morning, Republicans introduced a bill that had previously been passed by the House, but it was defeated with a vote of 55 to 45, as it did not secure the required 60 votes.
Democratic lawmakers John Fetterman and Catherine Cortez Masto, along with Angus King, an independent who aligns with the Democratic party, supported the bill alongside Republicans, whereas some Democrats and Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky opposed it.
Earlier on Tuesday, President Donald Trumpaccused Democratic leaders of causing the approaching government shutdown,caution that “irreversible” cuts to federal staff will occur if legislators fail to agree on a budget by midnight tonight.
Democrats called for reversing the reductions to Medicaid, which were outlined earlier this year in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill,” and for extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans have incorrectly stated that Democrats sought funding for undocumented immigrants.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: KEY POINTS
- What occurs during a government shutdown?
- Schumer criticizes Trump for the shutdown ‘joke’
- Trump suggests dismissals if a shutdown occurs
- Senate Democrats oppose Republican funding proposal, leading to potential government closure
What occurs during a government shutdown?
Wednesday 1 October 2025 21:05 , Rachel Dobkin
The American government is once more approaching a shutdown.
This is the 21st time in the last 50 years that every federal agency will run out of funds at midnight on Tuesday — unless Congress takes action to prevent it.
The explanation is that, although Republicans hold both chambers of Congress and the executive branch, they still require 60 votes in the Senate to pass funding bills despite a possible Democratic filibuster.
This implies that while Democrats remain firm in their stance, Republicans are required to either present a compromise or eliminate the filibuster. Thus far, neither option has been pursued.
What would a government shutdown truly imply for you and the country? Learn more from Io Dodds:
What is a government shutdown? Here’s how it would affect the majority of Americans
Mike Johnson claims that a government shutdown is ‘unavoidable’ following the failure of the Senate bill
02:33 , Rachel Dobkin
House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that a government shutdown is “unavoidable” following the Senate’s failure to approve a temporary funding measure.
“It’s a highly dangerous choice that Chuck Schumer has made. The Democrats have cast the final vote. In the past few hours, they have rejected it again, leaving no other alternative,” Johnson told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday night.
On Tuesday morning, Republicans introduced a bill that had previously been passed by the House, but it fell short with a vote of 55 to 45, as it did not secure the required 60 votes. Democrats John Fetterman and Catherine Cortez Masto, along with Angus King, an independent who aligns with the Democrats, supported the bill alongside Republicans, whereas Democrats and Republican Rand Paul from Kentucky opposed it.
Senate Democratic leader Schumer, who supported keeping the government running in March, is taking a firm stance this time. Democrats are pushing for the reversal of Medicaid reductions, which were included in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill” earlier this year, and the continuation of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in exchange for their backing of a spending plan.
A Democrat who backed the Republican spending bill explains her decision
02:10 , Rachel Dobkin
Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democratic representative from Nevada, has outlined her reasons for backing a Republican funding bill to ensure the government remains operational.
“We require a solution that unites both political parties to tackle this growing healthcare emergency, but we must avoid transferring the burden from one segment of Americans to another,” the senator stated in a release.
Democrats called for reversing the reductions to Medicaid, which were outlined earlier this year in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill,” and for extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in return for their backing of a spending bill.
Watch: A Trump official states that a ‘clean continuing resolution’ will be approved
02:10 , Rachel Dobkin
The head of the National Economic Council, Kevin Hassett, has stated that a “clean continuing resolution” to support government operations will be approved before a potential shutdown occurs.
“It typically concludes with a clear ongoing resolution, and that’s how this will end as well. That will occur; the issue is whether we experience a shutdown before then,” Hassett said to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Tuesday.
Ted Cruz criticizes Democrats for the ‘Schumer Shutdown’
01:50 , Rachel Dobkin
Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, has criticized Democrats for holding the government “hostage” in what he has called the “Schumer Shutdown.”
“Welcome to the Schumer Shutdown. In nine hours, Chuck Schumer and the Democrats are expected to shut down the federal government. They are doing this to take the government hostage in an attempt to push for free healthcare for undocumented immigrants throughout the country,” Cruz stated in a video shared on X late Tuesday afternoon.
Now, President Trump will not agree to that, and the same goes for Republicans in the House and Senate.
The government will close in a few hours unless legislators approve a funding bill by midnight.
Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are calling for the reversal of Medicaid reductions that were outlined earlier this year in President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill,” as well as an extension of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
However, Republicans have incorrectly stated that the Democrats requested healthcare funding for undocumented immigrants.
What impact could a government shutdown have on your upcoming flight?
01:30 , Rachel Dobkin
Travelers should be cautious of an approaching government shutdown that may lead to extended security queues and flight delays, according to aBusiness Insider report.
If legislators fail to reach an agreement on a budget by midnight, the government will begin to close down. A result of a government shutdown is limited overtime for air traffic controllers, passport officers, and airport security personnel, according to Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst with the Atmosphere Research Group, who spoke to Business Insider.
This limitation implies that fewer staff members will be available during busy travel times, causing increased difficulties for passengers.
John Rose, the chief risk officer at the international travel management firm Altour, emphasized possible disruptions in travel schedules.
“Although airlines are anticipated to function as usual, as they employ their own check-in and luggage personnel, government-run services might experience interruptions,” he said to Business Insider.
Rose added, “If you’re planning to travel soon, particularly abroad, set aside additional time for both leaving and arriving. Extended queues are common, but during a government closure, they might be much longer.”
Trump is directing federal agencies to initiate a shutdown.
01:00 , Rachel Dobkin
The office of President Donald Trump’s budget has released a letter stating, “Agencies impacted should now carry out their strategies for a smooth shutdown.”
Russ Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget, instructed federal workers to report for their upcoming shift to “carry out organized shutdown procedures.”
Vought attributed the government shutdown to the Democrats, stating that Democratic senators prevented the approval of a budget bill backed by Trump “because of the Democrats’ unreasonable policy requirements.”
Full Story: Senate Democrats decide to close down the government, standing by their position against the Republican funding proposal despite warnings from Trump.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 00:40 , Rachel Dobkin
Senate Democrats remained steadfast and decided to oppose a Republican funding bill on Tuesday night, effectively ensuring a government shutdown — despite President Donald Trump warning of “irreversible” job cuts if the federal agency comes to a standstill.
A spending measure known as a continuing resolution, aimed at keeping the government operating until Thanksgiving, was introduced by the Republican-majority Senate. However, Democrats opposed the continuing resolution, referred to as a CR, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spearheading the effort that led to a government shutdown.
Only Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Angus King (I-Maine), and John Fetterman (D-Penn) aligned with the Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) was the sole Republican who voted against it.
The vote leads to a complete government shutdown, the third under Trump’s two terms in office and the first since 2018-2019, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1.
Read more from Eric Garcia:
Senate Democrats cast a vote to close down the government in response to the Republican funding bill.
Labor Secretary claims Democrats are engaging in ‘political games’
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM , Rachel Dobkin
Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer claims that Democrats are engaging in “political games” as a government shutdown approaches.
“America First policies are effective, and this will soon stop due to the Democrats’ decision to engage in political maneuvering,” Chavez-DeRemer stated to Fox Business on Tuesday.
The hesitation of Democrats to approve a temporary funding measure to prevent a government shutdown stems from issues related to healthcare.
They have called for reversing reductions in Medicaid, which were outlined earlier this year in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill,” and for prolonging subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
Republican funding measure collapses in the Senate
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM , Rachel Dobkin
A spending measure backed by Republicans aimed at preventing a government shutdown has failed in the Senate with a vote of 55 to 45.
Democratic lawmakers John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto from Nevada, and Angus King from Maine supported the bill alongside 52 Republicans, whereas 44 Democrats and Republican Rand Paul from Kentucky opposed it.
The vote did not pass soon after a budget bill backed by the Democrats, which aimed to undo Medicaid reductions and prolong subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, failed along political lines.
Lawmakers had to approve a budget by midnight to prevent a government shutdown; now a shutdown is about to happen.
Democratic spending proposal collapses in the Senate
Wednesday 30 September 2025 23:52 , Rachel Dobkin
A temporary funding measure supported by Democrats did not pass in the Senate, with a vote of 47 to 53 along party lines.
A photojournalist is in the hospital following an incident where masked ICE officers pushed reporters to the ground at a New York immigration courthouse.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 23:30 , Rachel Dobkin
A widely circulated video depicts masked federal agents pushing multiple journalists to the ground inside an immigration courthouse in downtown Manhattan, occurring just days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer was suspended for grabbing a crying woman and holding her down on the floor in the same facility.
Footage captured inside 26 Federal Plaza, the location of multiple federal law enforcement agency headquarters, depicts masked officers attempting to physically escort a reporter out of an elevator, with one shouting “get out the f****** elevator.”
Another individual pushes a photographer down the hallway. A third photographer is subsequently knocked onto the floor;footageFrom photojournalist Stephanie Keith, he is shown clutching his head in pain before emergency medical staff arrive and place him in a neck brace before transferring him onto a stretcher.
A woman who was weeping and begging for her husband’s release from ICE detention was taken to the hospital last week after an agent shoved her down the hallway, knocked her to the ground, and restrained her on her back.
Read more from Alex Woodward:
Photojournalist admitted to hospital following an incident with ICE officers in New York where reporters were pushed
Video: Bernie Sanders outlines actions that Republicans could take to gain his endorsement
Wednesday 30 September 2025 23:10 , Rachel Dobkin
Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, has outlined the steps Republicans must take to gain his backing in preventing a government shutdown by midnight.
Democrat defends Chuck Schumer’s shutdown approach: ‘He is putting up a stronger fight’
Wednesday 1 October 2025 10:50 , Rachel Dobkin
Representative Seth Moulton, a Democratic member from Massachusetts, has supported Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s approach as the government shutdown approaches, stating, “He is putting up a stronger fight.”
He is leveraging whatever influence we have,” Moulton stated about Schumer on CNN on Tuesday. “Some might question, ‘Why aren’t we demanding more?’ What we are seeking is actually something that Republicans would support since it benefits Red states as well.
It’s simply about reducing health insurance costs, ensuring they remain accessible for Americans, regardless of your political views.
In March, Schumer backed a six-month funding measure to prevent a government shutdown, stating, “Although the Republican proposal is highly problematic, the risk of a shutdown poses far more severe consequences for the country.”
However, Democrats are now firmly opposing, insisting on a continuation of Affordable Care Act subsidies in return for their support to maintain government operations.
“The Republicans have had 45 days, repeatedly, to reach out to us and discuss safeguarding your healthcare. They didn’t. They prefer closing the government rather than ensuring your healthcare protection,” Schumer wrote on X on Tuesday.
Watch: Trump states “a significant amount of positive outcomes can arise from shutdowns”
Wednesday 1 October 2025 10:30 PM , Rachel Dobkin
President Donald Trump stated to journalists on Tuesday, “Many positive outcomes can arise from government shutdowns.”
“We can eliminate many items we never desired. And those would be Democratic policies,” Trump stated.
Video: Democrat criticizes Trump on healthcare as government shutdown approaches
Wednesday 1 October 2025 22:10 , Rachel Dobkin
Arizona Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego has criticized President Donald Trump and the Republican party regarding healthcare as a government shutdown approaches.
Government financial support for individuals enrolled in the Affordable Care Act is scheduled to end by the year’s conclusion. Should these subsidies not be renewed, over 20 million Americans may face increased health insurance costs in the coming year.The New York Times reports.
The Democratic party is seeking to extend these subsidies as a bargaining chip in return for backing a spending bill aimed at avoiding a government shutdown by midnight tonight.
Republicans have expressed concerns over the expenses associated with the subsidies and possible instances of fraud in the enrollment process for the health care initiative. TheNYT states that the subsidies are expected to cost $350 billion over a decade.
Unions representing federal employees are taking legal action to prevent potential large-scale dismissals under Trump’s administration.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 21:50 , Rachel Dobkin
Federal employee unions submitted a legal action on Tuesday aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from implementing widespread dismissals in the event of a government shutdown.
Unions highlighted in the legal action that, previously, federal workers either kept working during a government shutdown without receiving pay until an appropriations bill was approved, or they were temporarily laid off and received delayed compensation once the shutdown concluded.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump stated, “We have the ability to carry out actions during the shutdown that are permanent and harmful to [Democrats], which they cannot reverse, such as excluding large numbers of people, eliminating things they support, and cutting programs they favor.”
Everett Kelley, the national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, who is a plaintiff in the legal case, stated in a release: “Claiming intentions to terminate potentially tens of thousands of federal workers merely because Congress and the administration disagree on funding the government beyond the end of the fiscal year is not only unlawful – it’s unethical and unacceptable.”
Kelley added, “Federal workers have devoted their careers to serving the public – over a third are former military personnel – and the disrespect this administration is showing them is unacceptable.”
View: Senate Republican leader states they will not be “held hostage” by Democrats as a government shutdown approaches
Wednesday 1 October 2025 21:30 , Rachel Dobkin
Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota has stated that Republicans will not be “held hostage” by Democrats as a government shutdown approaches.
Republicans require the backing of eight Democrats to approve a temporary spending measure by midnight tonight, Thune stated.
Schumer criticizes Trump for the shutdown ‘joke’
Wednesday 1 October 2025 20:53 , Mike Bedigan
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Donald Trump for a crude Truth Social post that ridiculed him using what seemed to be an AI-created video following Monday’s talks on the approaching government shutdown, which did not lead to any agreement.
“If you believe your shutdown is a joke, it simply confirms what we all understand: You aren’t capable of negotiation. You can only throw fits,” Schumer wrote on X.
Judge rules against Trump in harsh decision on free speech and discloses threat sent by a MAGA supporter
Wednesday 1 October 2025 20:30 , Mike Bedigan
A federal judge criticized Donald Trump and senior administration officials for endangering the First Amendment rights of international students who protested against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
A 161-page critical opinion released on Tuesday determined that State Secretary Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem unlawfully suppressed protected speech from pro-Palestinian students and staff by threatening to cancel their visas and subsequently arresting, detaining, and deporting them.
Alex Woodward has more:
Judge rules against Trump’s ‘bullying’ in win for pro-Palestine students
Watch: Trump boasts about the border following questions regarding misleading statements about immigrant healthcare
Wednesday 1 October 2025 20:10 , Mike Bedigan
Trump seems to have forgotten the name of Hakeem Jeffries while recalling his meeting with Democratic leaders
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:58 , Mike Bedigan
President Trump seemed to have forgotten the name of Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries while reminiscing about a meeting he had with him and Chuck Schumer regarding the approaching government shutdown.
Jeffries and Schumer met with the president on Monday, but no progress was made.with Schumer stating that both sidesstill experienced “very large differences” regarding issues such as healthcare.
Breaking news of a deal with the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on Tuesday, Trump mentioned he had discussed prescription drug costs with the individuals.
“This has a significant effect even on the conversation we’ll have with Chuck Schumer, who was here yesterday, along with a very kind individual I didn’t really know,” he said, referring to Jeffries.
You know who I’m referring to. The two of them arrived and we had an excellent conversation. And we’ll find out what happens next.
Analysis: It’s not typically the Democrats who initiate a government shutdown
Wednesday 30 September 2025 19:47 , Eric Garcia
The Democratic Party typically does not engage in such kinds of warnings. Historically, as they view themselves as the party responsible for governance, they usually steer clear of a government shutdown.
Indeed, they have not yet stated their willingness to permit a shutdown. Instead, they continue to emphasize their standard argument that they aim to keep the government running and extend the subsidies.
“And the message from these federal employees is that from the very beginning, Donald Trump, Russ Vought, and Elon Musk have been targeting federal workers, thereby undermining the services they offer to the American public,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.The Independent.
Everyone desires to maintain the federal government’s operations, yet we do not wish to provide Donald Trump with an unrestricted authorization to persist in his unlawful actions, allowing the time bomb in healthcare to remain active in America. As you are aware, when that bomb detonates, millions of Americans will experience a sharp increase in their insurance premiums.
However, the reality is that if Democrats oppose this, there isn’t a clear path or way to resume government operations. The Republicans hold the majority in both chambers and can schedule a vote whenever they choose. This reflects the Democrats’ inability to exert influence during the second Trump administration and their limited bargaining power.
Watch: Trump claims a government shutdown would allow him to reduce benefits
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:39 , Mike Bedigan
Analysis: Democrats view the shutdown as an opportunity to counterattack
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:30 , Eric Garcia
Democrats view this conflict over funding as more than an opportunity to prolong subsidies for the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges established during the Covid-19 crisis. They also consider it a chance to push back against their opponents.
It’s a naturally hazardous decision. However, Democrats claim they have already experienced significant reductions in the federal workforce overall.
Senator Raphael Warnock, whose home state of Georgia is where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are located, stated that he isn’t affected by these threats.
“Let me state that we do not want a government shutdown, but the unfortunate truth is that the Trump administration has already been closing down the government,” he said.The Independent.
Trump shares an offensive and racist AI video regarding the government shutdown, while Schumer states: “No one likes Democrats anymore.”
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:18 , Mike Bedigan
President Donald Trump shared an offensive, AI-altered video on Monday featuring Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, ridiculing the White House’s primary negotiation counterparts as the government approaches a potential shutdown.
In the video, the digitally modified Schumer states, “nobody likes Democrats anymore” due to “all of our woke trans bulls***,” and then incorrectly asserts that Democrats back providing healthcare to undocumented immigrants because the party needs “new voters.”
Josh Marcus has the full story:
Trump shares an offensive, racist AI-generated video of Schumer: “No one likes Democrats”
Analysis: Democrats challenge Trump’s threat regarding federal dismissals
Wednesday 1 October 2025 19:04 , Eric Garcia
With a government shutdown approaching, President Donald Trump and Republicans have cautioned Democrats that voting against a “clean” continuing resolution without any additional provisions could result in thousands of federal employees losing their positions.
Trump said to reporters earlier in the day, “we might accomplish a lot, and that’s only due to the Democrats.” This is an appealing idea because the two states adjacent to Washington—Maryland and Virginia—are firmly Democratic, with numerous federal employees who supported the Democratic Party.
However, Senate Democrats appear to be challenging Trump’s threat.
“These employees are not leverage points,” Senator Mark Warner from Virginia stated.The Independent.At best, they suggest that the Trump administration, Vought, and the Department of Government Efficiency have reduced the federal workforce significantly, making this a hollow warning.
“But I regularly hear from federal employees who feel as if they’ve experienced a gradual shutdown under this current administration, and they also want us to push back and, honestly, recognize the impact it will have on non-federal contractors who purchase their insurance,” he added.
Chuck Schumer claims that Republicans are “not serious” about maintaining government operations.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 18:59 , Mike Bedigan
On Tuesday morning, Senator Chuck Schumer criticized Republicans on the House floor, stating they were “not serious” about preventing a government shutdown.
“The Leader [John Thune] claims it is a clean bill. It’s a partisan bill,” he stated.
Democrats were never asked for their input on what should be included in the bill. We weren’t informed about it. We weren’t consulted about it. Also, Speaker Johnson didn’t speak with Hakeem Jeffries. You can’t pass legislation in the Senate regarding appropriations without bipartisan support. So, the Leader claims it’s clean. No, it isn’t clean, because there was no discussion.
He stated, “We are on the edge of a government shutdown because Republicans aren’t genuinely committed to keeping the government running.”
Vance attributes the approaching government shutdown to the Democrats.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 18:51 , Mike Bedigan
Vice President JD Vance has attributed the approaching government shutdown to the Democrats.
We differ on healthcare policies, but you don’t shut down the government,” he stated. “You don’t leverage your policy disagreements to avoid paying our troops or to prevent essential government services from operating.
You don’t imply that your disagreement with a specific tax clause is a reason to halt the government and all the vital services it provides.
Democrats are calling for the reversal of Medicaid reductions, which were outlined earlier this year in Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill.” Republicans have incorrectly stated that Democrats are seeking financial support for undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Trump states that he is “the last person” wanting a government shutdown.
Wednesday 1 October 2025 18:46 , Mike Bedigan
Donald Trump stated that he is the “last person” to desire a government shutdown, cautioning that it might lead to “irreversible” dismissals of federal employees.
“We’re not closing it down. We don’t want it to close because we’re experiencing the best time ever. I told you,” the president stated on Tuesday.
We are investing $17 trillion. Therefore, we are the last ones who would want to shut it down.
Now, to that end, we can carry out actions during the shutdown that are irreversible, harmful to [Democrats], and cannot be reversed by them, such as excluding large numbers of people, eliminating things they support, and cutting programs they favor.
Government shutdown 2025 live
Wednesday 1 October 2025 18:43 , Mike Bedigan
Welcome to The Independent’s live broadcast of the approaching government shutdown, set to occur at midnight tonight if politicians from both parties fail to reach an agreement on a budget.
Donald Trump has attributed the approaching government shutdown to Democratic leaders, cautioning that “irreversible” furloughs of federal workers will occur if a deal isn’t reached.
Democrats are calling for the reversal of Medicaid reductions that were outlined earlier this year in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful, Bill.” Republicans have incorrectly stated that Democrats are seeking funding for undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Senator Chuck Schumer stated on Monday that significant gaps continued to exist between the two parties.
