The Democrats shut down the U.S. government in 2025 because they refused to approve a short-term funding bill that did not include a continuation of enhanced health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act and the reversal of Medicaid cuts. Led by Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Democrats insisted that any interim funding measures must include these health care provisions. The shutdown occurred after Senate Democrats voted against a Republican-backed stopgap funding measure that would have kept the government funded until November 21. Democrats argued the Republican plan worsened health care access and sought to maintain protections and subsidies for health care coverage. Both parties failed to pass any temporary funding proposal, leading to the shutdown starting at midnight on October 1, 2025. The shutdown has caused furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal workers and suspended many government services.
The blame for the shutdown is contested, with Republicans and the White House blaming Democrats for holding the government "hostage" with their health care demands. Meanwhile, Democrats blame President Trump and Republicans for rejecting the funding with the healthcare provisions they demanded. Democrats say they do not want a shutdown and claim Republicans are responsible, as they control the House, Senate, and White House.
