Government Shuts Down as Democrats Block GOP Spending Deal

The federal government officially entered a partial shutdown at midnight Wednesday as Democrats in the Senate blocked a Republican-backed continuing resolution (CR) once again choosing political theater over responsible governance.

The bill, which would have extended current spending levels through November 21 while giving Congress time to finalize FY 2026 priorities, passed the House on September 19. But Senate Democrats killed it, furious that their wish list including extensions of COVID-era Obamacare subsidies wasn’t included.

“There isn't any substantive reason why there ought to be a government shutdown,” said Senate Majority Whip John Thune (R-SD). “We’re not going to be held hostage for over $1 trillion in new spending.”

Republicans passed a clean stopgap bill to prevent this mess. Democrats rejected it because it didn’t include handouts and pet projects especially extensions of Obamacare subsidies that were artificially boosted during the pandemic.

Instead of negotiating, Senate Democrats walked, forcing a shutdown that could furlough up to 750,000 federal workers per day, cost taxpayers $400 million daily, and cut pay to active-duty troops.

Meanwhile, Congress members by constitutional design will keep getting paid.

“Democrats did not want a shutdown,” claimed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) a laughable claim considering they are the ones who blocked the stopgap bill that would’ve kept the government open.

President Donald Trump told reporters earlier Tuesday that while Republicans do not want a shutdown, if Democrats continue playing games, they should expect real consequences.

“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible,” Trump said. “Things that are bad for them and irreversible by them like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.”

And he’s right.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), led by Russ Vought, has already released guidance to federal agencies to prepare for mass layoffs not just furloughs. This isn’t the standard “pause.” This is a structural reset.

A memo from Vought reads. “It is unclear how long Democrats will maintain their untenable posture… Regardless, employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the longer the shutdown lasts, the more profound the impact:

• 750,000 workers furloughed daily

• $400 million in daily lost compensation

• Active-duty military will not be paid

• Federal agencies shuttered across the board

Among closures:

• Capitol Visitor Center

• U.S. Botanic Garden

• Library of Congress

• Foreign trips by congressional delegations canceled

And still, Democrats press on, insisting they need even more federal spending to feel good about any compromise.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has urged Republicans to remain unified and stay outside D.C. to put pressure on the Senate to pass the House bill. He’s also discouraged fundraising or political distractions during the shutdown.

“The message is simple: hold the line,” Johnson told House GOP members in a closed-door call.

This shutdown didn’t need to happen. House Republicans did their job. Democrats blew it up to protect entitlements, expand government, and demand compliance.

Now, federal workers are out of work. Troops are going without pay. And the Left is once again using everyday Americans as leverage for a progressive agenda they couldn’t pass in the light of day.

Republicans are right to call their bluff and this time, the consequences may finally cut deep enough to drain some of the swamp for good.

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