The U.S. federal government shutdown began at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025, due to congressional failure to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. As of October 8, 2025, the government has not yet reopened. Several votes in the Senate on competing proposals to reopen the government have failed, and negotiations remain deadlocked primarily over healthcare funding issues, including subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid cuts. Neither political party has reached an agreement, and the shutdown is expected to continue for several more days, with renewed votes anticipated. The House is not expected to return to session until mid-October, placing the focus on the Senate for any resolution. The White House has warned that if the shutdown persists, permanent layoffs of federal workers could occur.
