Trump, Dems harden standoff as US gov't shutdown nears
3 Min Read
The US faces a government shutdown as Trump and Democrats refuse to compromise on spending. Gridlock in Congress puts 750,000 federal jobs at risk.
-
Trump addresses top military leaders in Virginia on September 30, 2025. (AP)
The United States is moving closer to a government shutdown as President Donald Trump and Democratic leaders refuse to compromise on spending priorities, heightening uncertainty for millions of Americans. With the deadline for new funds expiring at midnight, officials warn that the US government shutdown 2025 could disrupt services and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that around 750,000 federal employees face potential furloughs if a shutdown occurs. “The total daily cost of their compensation would be roughly $400 million,” the non-partisan CBO reported.
Analysts warn that such a lapse would impact ordinary Americans as essential services are curtailed, while businesses dependent on federal contracts could face financial strain.
Trump allies push deep spending cuts in house
Both sides of the political divide remain entrenched. Democrats insist that new budget provisions must curb what they call Trump’s “lawlessness,” while Republicans accuse the opposition of playing politics with national funding.
“We have no obligation to fund the destruction of our democracy,” Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said, emphasizing the party’s stance that unchecked executive power cannot be supported.
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune countered by accusing Democrats of taking government funding “hostage” at the urging of their “far-left base.”
The clash reflects weeks of Congress gridlock over the scope of federal spending for fiscal year 2026. Trump-aligned conservatives in the House are demanding sweeping cuts to non-defense discretionary spending and new policy riders tied to immigration and border security. Democrats in the Senate remain firmly opposed.
Dems reject border and immigration riders
The standoff is not only about appropriations levels but also about the broader role of government. House Republicans want funding bills significantly below the caps agreed upon in previous budget deals. Democrats reject these demands, particularly proposals tied to border policy and immigration enforcement.
The impasse has left negotiations paralyzed, with neither side willing to offer concessions ahead of the deadline.
Continuing resolution remains a slim possibility
As in past years, lawmakers could still avoid a shutdown by passing a continuing resolution (CR), a stopgap measure that extends funding at current levels for weeks or months. Yet, the polarized political climate makes even this limited compromise uncertain.
While financial markets have historically treated shutdown threats with caution, the current crisis has raised fresh concerns on Wall Street. A shutdown would furlough hundreds of thousands of workers, delay federal loan processing, and close services ranging from national parks to administrative offices.
Late-night meetings continued in Washington on Tuesday as both parties sought last-minute votes to prevent a lapse in appropriations. Still, the prospect of the US government shutdown 2025 appeared increasingly real.
