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Federal Government Partially Shuts Down as Senate Standoff Hardens

Democrats are withholding Senate votes to force an extension of expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Overview

  • After competing stopgap bills failed in the Senate, the Office of Management and Budget ordered agencies to execute orderly shutdown plans.
  • The Senate rejected the House-passed funding bill 55–45 and adjourned until Friday, leaving no immediate path to reopen the government that requires 60 votes.
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimates roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed daily while many essential workers continue without pay, with missed checks expected soon.
  • The White House warned that layoffs are imminent and said agencies are identifying cuts, as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance signaled potential permanent workforce reductions during the lapse.
  • Early effects include paused NIH patient intake, curtailed CDC communications, limited national park staffing, and a freeze of about $18 billion in payments for New York infrastructure projects during a review.