The Senate on Monday voted against reopening the government for the 11th time, extending the shutdown to three weeks as both sides remain at odds and unable to resolve the deadlock. The chamber voted 50-43 on the House-passed continuing resolution to fund the government through late November, falling short of the 60 votes required for passage. Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Angus King (I-Maine) once again crossed party lines to side with Republicans. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who had previously supported the measure, did not vote on Monday. Sen. Rand Paul (Ky.) was the only Senate GOP “no” vote, Hill reported. The vote occurred days after the “No Kings” rallies in Washington and across the country, with Republicans hopeful that a deal could be reached with those events now behind them. However, there are few indications that the impasse will be resolved soon, suggesting the shutdown may continue into a fourth week and potentially into November.
Workers Face Furloughs, Firings and Uncertainty
The federal government shutdown is now rippling across agencies, forcing hundreds of thousands of employees off the job and leaving others uncertain about their pay. The federal government employed nearly 2.3 million civilian employees as of March 31. According to the Congressional Budget Office, roughly 750,000 are being furloughed each day — barred from reporting to work. until the shutdown ends. Essential workers continue on duty but will only receive back pay once funding is restored, according to the AP. Meanwhile, the administration has begun targeting thousands of federal workers for termination in what officials describe as a “bureaucratic downsizing.” A reduction plan affecting several employees across Treasury, Education, Health and Human Services, and Housing has already been announced. White House budget chief Russ Vought said on The Charlie Kirk Show that the total number could exceed 10,000, calling it a rare “opportunity to shutter the bureaucracy.” A federal judge has temporarily blocked the dismissals, citing possible political motivations. Still, the White House insists it will prevail in court.
economic impact
The shutdown’s economic toll is mounting. The CBO estimates that paying furloughed workers during the closure costs $400 million a day. The US Travel Association says the travel economy alone could lose $1 billion a week, while small business loans and flood insurance renewals have been frozen. The FAA reports air traffic controller shortages from Boston to Houston, triggering widespread flight delays. Food banks in Washington, DC, and beyond have ramped up efforts to assist federal workers living paycheck to paycheck. Politically, both parties are sharing the blame. A new AP-NORC poll finds 60% of Americans fault President Trump and congressional Republicans, while 54% also blame Democrats for the ongoing impasse. The White House has further inflamed tensions by suspending $18 billion in infrastructure funds and canceling $7.6 billion in clean energy grants, moves critics say disproportionately target Democratic-led states. With both sides refusing to negotiate under pressure — and no clear exit strategy — the shutdown shows no sign of ending soon.
