Overview

• The Senate has rejected the House-passed GOP stopgap for a sixth time on a 54-45 vote that fell short of the 60-vote threshold, with another vote scheduled Thursday.
• Democrats insist any stopgap must extend enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits expiring Dec. 31, 2025, a lapse the CBO says would drive up uninsured rates.
• Roughly 750,000 federal employees are furloughed, including 34,000 at the IRS, airports report delays tied to air traffic controller staffing, and active-duty troops risk missing an Oct. 15 paycheck without a fix.
• The White House has raised the possibility of withholding back pay and pursuing workforce cuts, while senior Republicans privately warn against drastic moves and Trump has suggested most workers would ultimately be paid.
• Schumer’s remark that “every day gets better for us” drew sharp criticism from the White House and GOP leaders, as Republicans press Democrats to pass a clean funding bill and Democrats fault the GOP for refusing to address health costs.