The federal government is set to shut down at midnight if lawmakers fail to agree on a short-term spending measure, with each party accusing the other of causing the impasse.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) criticized Republicans in a post on X, writing that GOP members “are on vacation” while Democrats remain in Washington prepared to keep agencies operating and address healthcare costs.
“If Republicans force a shutdown, it’s on them,” the former House speaker added.
The government shuts down tonight—but House Republicans are on vacation.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) September 30, 2025
Democrats are in Washington, ready to keep government open and lower health care costs.
If Republicans force a shutdown, it’s on them. Democrats will keep fighting to protect your health care. pic.twitter.com/euiEUUTYSu
Federal departments have begun preparing contingency plans in the event that funding runs out after 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The Senate is scheduled to vote Tuesday evening on two temporary funding measures, though neither is expected to clear the chamber.
The votes come after President Donald Trump met with congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). Following those discussions, Vice President JD Vance suggested the likelihood of a shutdown remained high.
Budget standoffs are not new.
Since the modern fiscal calendar was set in the 1970s, Congress has completed its annual appropriations on deadline only four times — in 1977, 1989, 1995, and 1997 — according to the Congressional Research Service. In nearly every other year, lawmakers have relied on stopgap measures known as continuing resolutions to prevent funding lapses.
Thune argued Tuesday that Democrats could avert a shutdown by agreeing to a temporary funding bill that already passed the House.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ROASTED OVER ‘SHUTDOWN SELFIE’
Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the Senate Republican whip, said Schumer was bending to pressure from progressives in his party. He described the standoff as unnecessary and warned that voters would hold Democrats accountable for the consequences.
With the clock ticking, federal workers and contractors face furloughs and disruptions if no deal is reached. Both parties are preparing to frame the political blame, while the public faces uncertainty about government services.
