The current U.S. federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, due to Congress failing to pass appropriations legislation for the 2026 fiscal year. The shutdown is ongoing with no resolution as of now, and the next scheduled Senate activity to address the shutdown is not until Friday, October 4, 2025. This means the shutdown will last at least several days beyond its start date, pending further negotiations between Republicans and Democrats in Congress.
Key points:
- The shutdown started at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025.
- It was caused by a deadlock in Congress over federal spending levels and certain policy issues.
- Essential services continue, but many federal employees are furloughed or working without pay.
- No agreement to end the shutdown has been reached yet, and the Senate is adjourned until early October with no immediate plans to vote.
- Layoffs and prolonged furloughs are considered imminent if the shutdown persists.
Thus, the government shutdown will remain in effect until Congress passes new funding legislation to reopen the government, which as of October 2, 2025, has no set end date.
