The federal government shutdown will stretch into the weekend with no signs of a resolution as both parties remain entrenched in their positions on Capitol Hill.
Senate remains deadlocked
On Friday, the Senate voted on two separate continuing resolutions that would have reopened the government, one presented by Democrats and the other by Republicans.
Both measures failed to pass: The Democratic proposal, which would have also reverted changes to Medicaid that were made law in the "Big Beautiful Bill" earlier this year, was voted down 46-52. The Republican motion failed after a 54-44 vote, having not met the necessary threshold of 60 members in support.
Republican strategy faces continued resistance
House Speaker Mike Johnson has insisted there is nothing to negotiate and that Democrats should accept the short-term extension, which Republicans claim contains no "poison pills."
Johnson on Friday ordered a district work period from Tuesday, October 7 through Monday, October 13. This means the House will not return over the next week.
Health insurance costs could skyrocket without action
If the Affordable Care Act subsidies expire, Americans who get insurance through state marketplaces could see their premiums increase by an average of 114%, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that millions of Americans could lose their health insurance if the subsidies are not extended.
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Americans have had access to these enhanced subsidies since 2021, and their expiration could create significant financial hardship during open enrollment periods.
Trump administration threatens federal layoffs
The Trump administration continues to hint at potential layoffs of thousands of federal workers, a move that senators from states with high concentrations of federal employees view as a negotiating tactic.
Senator Chris Van Hollen called the potential layoffs "a mafioso demand" from President Trump. Democrats argue such layoffs would be illegal, though it remains unclear what they could do to prevent them beyond legal challenges.
Public opinion and political calculations
A Washington Post survey of 1,000 people found that 47% of Americans blame Republicans for the shutdown, while 30% blame Democrats. The Democratic base had previously criticized party leadership for not fighting harder during past shutdown negotiations.
Democrats may see political opportunity in the standoff, particularly if health care costs rise significantly for Americans. The party out of power typically performs well in midterm elections, and Democrats are hoping to retake control of both the House and Senate in 2026.
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Shutdown impacts expected to worsen
While the immediate effects of the shutdown have been limited, the impacts are expected to become more severe as it continues. Programs like WIC and federal worker paychecks could be affected if the shutdown extends into next week or beyond.
Both sides will need to find a face-saving way to end the standoff, though the longer it continues, the more painful it becomes for all involved.
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