The U.S. government shutdown entered its third week as Senate Democrats blocked a Republican-led bill for the ninth time on October 15, 2025. The impasse centers on extending Affordable Care Act subsidies before open enrollment on November 1. Impacts include furloughs for 750,000 federal workers and disruptions to services like national parks and air travel.
The federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, triggered by a partisan dispute over extending subsidies for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, which serve 24 million people without job-based or public insurance. Republicans claim Democrats seek to fund healthcare for undocumented immigrants, a charge Democrats deny. Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, refused to advance a House-passed short-term funding bill without the subsidy extension, arguing it prevents premium spikes during open enrollment. "With open enrollment around the corner, Republicans cannot continue to kick this can down the road," Schumer said. "It's happening now. The healthcare crisis is now."
This marked the Senate's ninth failed attempt since the shutdown started. Senate Majority Leader John Thune noted Democrats appear "dug in" until after a planned "No Kings" protest in Washington, D.C., on October 18. Sen. Mike Rounds added that subsidy talks predated the shutdown but were surprised by Democrats' refusal to reopen the government. Sen. John Barrasso warned of broader harms, including unpaid air traffic controllers risking flight chaos, accusing Democrats of a strategy tied to the "radical left" that could lead to "planes falling out of the sky."
The Trump administration issued reduction-in-force notices to thousands of workers, though a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order pausing some for unions like AFGE and AFSCME. President Trump vowed more firings targeting "Democrat programs." Active military pay for October 15 was secured using $8 billion in unused funds, but future cycles remain uncertain. About 750,000 employees face daily furloughs, with agencies like the IRS (nearly half staff), Education (87% furloughed, gutting special education oversight for 7.5 million children and $15 billion in funding), and HUD (over 300 layoffs, including fair housing investigators) hit hard.
National parks remain mostly open but with limited services, such as no updates or staff at sites like Muir Woods. WIC benefits for 7 million mothers and children continue via prior funds and tariff revenue, while SNAP is funded through October. Air traffic shortages have disrupted flights, and essential services like USPS, Medicare, and ICE enforcement proceed uninterrupted, though some Social Security verifications are unavailable. State impacts vary, with unemployment claims surging in places like Colorado and local aid stepping in for parks in North Carolina.