The next vote to reopen the government is expected on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 , as the Senate reconvenes to consider competing proposals aimed at ending the ongoing shutdown. This follows five previous failed attempts, including votes on October 6, where both Republican and Democratic funding measures fell short of the required 60 votes to pass.
Senate Vote Details
The Senate is expected to vote on a continuing resolution that would fund the government through November 21, 2025. Republicans are pushing for a "clean" funding bill to reopen the government first, with negotiations on healthcare subsidies to follow. Democrats, however, are demanding that any deal must include an extension of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and reverse Medicaid cuts made during the Trump administration.
Republicans need eight Democratic senators to cross party lines to reach the 60-vote threshold, as Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has opposed the measure. So far, only three Democratic senators—John Fetterman (PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), and Angus King (ME)—have supported the Republican proposal.
Political Stalemate
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) maintains that negotiations on healthcare tax credits will only begin after the government reopens. President Donald Trump has warned that continued failure to pass a funding bill could lead to widespread layoffs of federal workers, particularly in agencies aligned with Democratic priorities. The White House has emphasized that the administration will not negotiate under duress, urging Democrats to "reopen the government first".
Impact of the Shutdown
The shutdown has now entered its seventh day , with over 620,000 federal employees furloughed and approximately 2 million workers either furloughed or working without pay. Critical services, including air traffic control, are experiencing staffing shortages, with some towers already closed.
Public and Media Coverage
The Senate session and vote are expected to be broadcast live, with major news outlets like USA Today and CBS News providing real-time coverage. The political blame game continues, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) accusing Democrats of prolonging the crisis, while Democrats fault Republicans for refusing to address healthcare concerns upfront.
The outcome of the October 7 vote remains uncertain, with no clear breakthrough in negotiations reported as of early morning updates [
