The federal government began to shut down on Wednesday after Democrats and Republicans failed to come to an agreement to extend government funding ahead of the Oct. 1, 2025, deadline.
The White House moved to pause or cancel billions of dollars in funding meant for blue states on the first day of the shutdown, including $18 billion in infrastructure projects in New York and $8 billion in climate-related projects in 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. A top White House official also told lawmakers that widespread layoffs could begin in the coming days. The moves were widely seen as an attempt to ramp up pressure on Democrats.
As many as 750,000 government workers are facing being furloughed, according to the Congressional Budget Office, and they will not be paid until Congress appropriates funding and the shutdown ends. Workers deemed to be essential will stay on the job, although they will also not be paid until Congress reaches a funding deal.
Republicans and Democrats are blaming each other for the impasse, and they have competing proposals in the Senate to extend funding. Both bills failed again on Wednesday, with the GOP bill earning no new Democratic support.
Republicans plan to keep holding votes over the coming days to put pressure on their colleagues across the aisle, with the next votes set for Friday afternoon.
Senate plans next votes on government funding for Friday afternoon
The Senate is expected to begin its next rounds of votes on government funding after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, according to guidance from Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso. Votes on the competing proposals from Democrats and Republicans are planned.
Senate adjourns with no votes expected until Friday
The Senate has adjourned until noon on Thursday and will resume votes on Friday. Senators won't vote Thursday in recognition of the Yom Kippur holiday, which begins at sundown on Wednesday.
"We will be in session tomorrow, starting tomorrow afternoon. So the floor will be available if people want to give speeches," Thune said, adding that he expected it to be "fairly quiet around here" because of the Jewish holiday.
Caitlin Yilek and Cristina Corujo
Jeffries says Trump administration is targeting "thousands of jobs of hard-working Americans" with NYC funding freeze
A reporter asked Jeffries if he believes he's being personally targeted by the Trump administration in its decision to freeze $18 billion for key infrastructure projects in New York City. Jeffries represents part of Brooklyn.
"The Trump administration is targeting the jobs, thousands of jobs of hard-working Americans," Jeffries said. "Working-class Americans and blue collar Americans will lose the ability to work at the Second Avenue Subway site or at the other project that has been canceled related to the Cross-Harbor Tunnel. That's consistent with what the Trump administration has consistently done throughout their time in office — lose jobs, cause economic pain and hardship for the American people."
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