October 1, 2025 Update

At midnight Wednesday, major parts of the federal government ceased operations in the first major government shutdown since 2019.

The shutdown comes after the Senate was unable to agree yesterday on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep government agencies open, and following a fruitless meeting at the White House on Monday between President Trump and congressional leaders from both parties.

Although the rhythms of federal shutdowns are increasingly familiar to federal employees, policymakers, contractors, grant recipients and others, the Trump administration has suggested it will use the current shutdown as a pre-text to accelerate reductions-in-force in the federal workforce and potentially try to end domestic programs that do not align with the President’s priorities.

With neither side appearing to be negotiating, it is anyone’s guess at how long the shutdown will last. The 2018-2019 shutdown lasted for 35 days.

Below is a roundup of news about the shutdown.

CBO: 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed daily in shutdown

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed each day of a shutdown, with the total daily cost of their compensation at roughly $400 million, according to an analysis of federal agencies’ latest contingency plans and the Office of Personnel Management.

What’s affected by the government shutdown

The Washington Post has a breakdown of what is closed, including what is happening across federal agencies and to some workers. The Trump administration has also told officials to prepare for mass layoffs while the shutdown lasts.

Prediction markets see government shutdown lasting nearly two weeks

Traders in prediction markets are betting that the U.S. government shutdown could drag on for nearly two weeks, with odds rising that Congress will not reach a deal until at least mid-October.

Federal employees told Democrats to blame for shutdown in “highly inappropriate” email

Federal employees at multiple agencies received emails Tuesday blaming congressional Democrats for a potential government shutdown “forced” by the party, an unusual use of government communications that typically steer clear of political comments.

Trump shields immigration and trade from shutdown fallout

As Washington enters a government shutdown, the Trump administration has erected safeguards to ensure President Donald Trump’s most hardline priorities continue unscathed. Agencies central to Trump’s agenda are shielding certain programs by declaring the federal employees who work on them essential or sheltering them under already approved funding streams — designations that will allow them to keep running through the funding lapse.

Shutdown FAQs

What does a shutdown mean for government contractors, employees, grantees and the general public? Click here for more information.

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