U.S. Congress faces government shutdown amid partisan blame
As a midnight deadline loomed on October 1, 2025, the U.S. Congress struggled to pass a funding bill, heightening the risk of a government shutdown. Republicans accused Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of obstructing talks, while Democrats pointed to hardline GOP demands. Bipartisan negotiations emerged late in the day after repeated failures.
The impasse in Washington intensified on October 1, 2025, when the House passed a short-term funding bill, but it stalled in the Senate. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Schumer for blocking 'real discussion' to keep the government open, stating in a Fox News interview, 'We're ready to negotiate, but Senate Democrats are playing games.' This came after the bill, which included disaster aid but excluded broader spending cuts sought by conservatives, was blocked for a second time.
Nevada Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto broke ranks with her party by supporting aspects of the Republican-led measure. In an NPR interview, she explained, 'I couldn't let partisan politics shut down services for my constituents, especially after recent wildfires.' Her vote highlighted internal Democratic divisions, as some progressives pushed for more comprehensive reforms.
Politico reported that both parties were deploying blame strategies ahead of the deadline. Republicans framed Democrats as obstructive, while Democrats argued the GOP bill favored special interests, including provisions linked to former President Donald Trump's influence. Slate noted Trump's social media posts urging Republicans to hold firm, writing, 'No shutdown on my watch, but no blank checks either.'
As talks faltered, the first signs of bipartisan negotiations surfaced on Capitol Hill. Fox News detailed late-afternoon meetings between moderate Republicans and Democrats, focusing on a clean continuing resolution to avert shutdown. Key sticking points included funding levels for Ukraine aid and border security, with no resolution by evening.
The potential shutdown would furlough hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupt services, echoing the 2018-2019 standoff. With elections approaching, leaders from both sides emphasized urgency, though trust remained low. Johnson reiterated, 'We need Schumer to come to the table now.' No final agreement was reached by press time, leaving the government's fate uncertain.