Senate Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, blocked a Republican effort to reopen the federal government for the eighth time on October 14, 2025, as the shutdown entered its 14th day. The impasse centers on demands for extending Obamacare subsidies before their expiration, while Republicans insist on reopening first. Escalating tensions include administration firings of federal employees and Democratic threats of lawsuits over the moves.
The U.S. government shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, reached its 14th day on Tuesday when Senate Democrats again prevented a vote on a House-passed continuing resolution (CR) to fund operations through the fiscal year. This marked the eighth such blockage, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leading the opposition. Democrats argue that without action by November 1, Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits will expire, causing premiums to rise sharply for millions relying on the program ahead of open enrollment.
Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., maintain they are open to negotiating subsidy reforms but only after the government reopens. 'Democrats like to whine that Republicans aren't negotiating, but negotiation... is what you do when each side has a list of demands and you need to meet in the middle,' Thune said on the Senate floor. Republicans have brought the CR to a vote repeatedly, but it has failed each time, with most Democrats united against it. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Angus King, I-Maine, voted in favor, while Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was absent.
President Donald Trump criticized Schumer, calling him a 'weakened politician' who has allowed the 'radical left' to control the Democratic Party. The administration has intensified pressure through reductions in force (RIFs), with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought announcing on the shutdown's 10th day that firings had begun. Congressional Democrats from Maryland and Virginia, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., condemned the moves as 'illegal' and vowed court action. 'Donald Trump, come to the negotiating table,' Van Hollen said at a rally. A lawsuit by Democracy Forward is already underway, with a hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
One relief measure came via Trump's directive to reallocate Pentagon funds for military paychecks due October 15. However, Senate staff pay looms on October 20, and roughly 750,000 nonessential federal employees face furloughs, with back pay estimated at $400 million per day under a 2019 law. The shutdown surpasses partial closures in Trump's first term and nears the record 21-day full shutdown under President Bill Clinton in 1995-1996.