US government shutdown persists with no resolution in sight
The US federal government remains in a partial shutdown as Republicans and Democrats deadlock over funding measures. President Donald Trump has renewed threats to deploy military forces to Chicago, while House Speaker Mike Johnson rallies his party to maintain pressure on Senate Democrats. With no progress reported, the impasse highlights deep partisan divides on spending and policy priorities.
The government shutdown entered its fourth day on October 4, 2025, following Congress's failure to pass a funding bill before the fiscal year ended on September 30. House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a continuing resolution (CR) on September 19 to maintain flat spending levels through November 21, but Senate Democrats have rejected the proposal four times since then, most recently on October 3.
Johnson, speaking to House Republicans during a private call on October 4, expressed confidence that the shutdown would end quickly if his party holds firm. "We passed it, and it's been rejected by the Senate," he told reporters on October 3. "So, the House will come back into session and do its work as soon as Chuck Schumer allows us to reopen the government. That's plain and simple." The House has recessed for a district work period through October 11 to amplify pressure on Democrats, with Johnson urging members to highlight the shutdown's impacts, such as delayed paychecks for military members on October 15 and risks to federal flood insurance.
Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have countered with a proposal to fund the government through October 31, while extending enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire by year's end and reversing Republican cuts to Medicaid from the "One Big, Beautiful Bill." Their plan also seeks to restore funding for NPR and PBS, slashed earlier by the Trump administration. Republicans dismissed it as partisan, emphasizing that Democrats have supported similar clean CRs 13 times under previous administrations.
Amid the stalemate, Trump has shifted rhetoric from false claims about undocumented immigrants receiving benefits to gloating over austerity measures, according to discussions in The Nation podcast. The White House also renewed threats to send military force to Chicago, escalating tensions without advancing shutdown talks.