US Senate Votes Fail and Shutdown Extends into Weekend

On October 3, 2025, the US Senate approved two contrasting measures that would have brought the government shutdown to an end. None of these bills were passed as the shutdown stretched past day three.

With the GOP backing it and targeting a new deadline of November 21, the measure was rejected by a vote of 54–46.

Besides the GOP, three US cratic senators—Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema, and Mark Kelly voted in support of the motion. Democrats’ counterproposal, which funded healthcare subsidies through October, failed 47-53 in a party-line vote. Senate Majority Leader John Thune vowed to hold more votes, but the Senate adjourned until Friday. Meanwhile, House Republicans extended their recess until October 14, putting pressure on Democrats.

Republicans have accused the Democrats of being the ones who obstructed a “clean” extension, with Thune highlighting that essential workers such as the military and TSA staff have not been paid.

The Democrats, led by Schumer, are demanding extensions of the Obamacare subsidies as the only way to prevent premium increases for a large number of people.

Trump halted $2.1 billion in transit funding for Chicago, targeting cities under Democratic control. Schumer responded by saying that Republicans are “holding the economy hostage,”. On X, Speaker Johnson posted on October 1, 2025, blaming Democrats for closing the government, cutting WIC, and veteran care.

This is a “complete” federal shutdown because no appropriations bills went through. Additionally, it differs from partisan ones, where funded agencies are permitted to operate. Agencies maintain OMB contingency plans that are not publicly accessible, which makes it difficult to determine how they function. The IRS uses Inflation Reduction Act funds to process returns,  provide VA medical care, operate crisis lines,  and implement the VA plan. F.A. responds to emergencies but pauses inspections, HHS.

Non-essential operations halt, resulting in the layoff of 800,000 workers. National parks close, IRS refunds are delayed, and food inspections stop. The Park Service lost $414 million in 2013,  according to the National Parks Conservation Association.

TSA and air traffic controllers work unpaid, but past shortages have led to airport closures, according to NATCA. Immigration hearings canceled, delaying asylum. Travel losses amount to $1 billion per week, according to the U.S. Travel Association. BLS skips the October 3 jobs report.

Federal employees are in a state of apprehension as 1.4 million workers who were classified as essential but not paid, and 90,000 employees who were furloughed, are the consequences of the last US shutdown, BPC said.

The 2018-2019 shutdown resulted in a $3 billion loss in economic growth, according to the CBO. An FAA air traffic controller recounted the time he had to borrow money to get by. A VA physician is concerned about the potential disruptions that may occur, while IRS workers are likely to be overwhelmed by the backlogs.

“We are a middle-class family,” a BOP guard officer commented. NTEU on X notified Congress to act by September 26, 2025.

Contractors are the first to suffer a halt in their earnings, Molly Reynolds of Brookings wrote. Contractors lose pay immediately,  according to Brookings’ Moll Reynolds.

Trump’s OMB pushes mandatory cuts, making this shutdown “more painful,”. Democrats demand Obamacare subsidies, Republicans a clean bill. Trump’s post blamed Democrats, Schumer called it “extremism.” Jeffries urged Hous to return by September 29. On X, RepJeffries warned of “pain” on September 24, 2025.

McConnell might find a middle ground. Midterms put a lot of pressure on both sides, but a failure to act would mean that the whole week of turmoil would continue. Trump declared that he would hold talks with the Democrats “if they got serious,” but at the same time, he issued very unclear demands. McConnell may be the one who will negotiate a solution.

While the Democrats are requesting money to manage the border situation, the Republicans are still opposing the idea of raising funds.

The danger of the shutdown could lead to a negotiation, but there is also the possibil ty that the breakdown would still last for a few weeks. The 2018-2019 government shutdown resulted in a furlough for 800,000 people for 35 days and incurred a cost of $11 billion.

Families should prepare for a challenging time, as many people who were previously employed will now be seeking new jobs. The crisis is a sign of the system’s governance weakness as the midterms approach.