Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Day 1 of the government shutdown

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On Politics

Wed Oct 1 2025

Rebecca Morin | Newsletter Writer

@RebeccaMorin_

How's it going? Rebecca Morin here. What are your concerns about the government shutdown? Let me know.

A government shutdown

The clock struck midnight with no deal to keep the government funded. A blame game is underway for the government shutdown and there's no immediate end in sight. Congressional Democrats are demanding health-care policy changes that President Donald Trump and Republicans have refused to entertain. Looming over the fight is also the threat of more mass layoffs by Trump. Vice President JD Vance told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the administration will "have to lay people off" if a shutdown extends for weeks. What to know about the shutdown.

When will the shutdown end? Lawmakers are expected to vote on the funding legislation again on Wednesday, though it likely will not pass. A Republican-backed funding measure failed in the Senate on a 55-45 vote on Tuesday evening. A Democrat-backed measure failed 47-53. There is a 60-vote threshold to pass most legislation in the Senate. Follow the latest on the shutdown.

What does the shutdown mean for you? In the immediate, federal employees whose work doesn't protect life or property will be told to stay away from their jobs; museums, monuments and national parks are expected to close; and travel could be delayed. The long-term effects of the shutdown.

•	No stranger to shutdowns: A look at Trump's history with government closures.
•	Polls show who Americans most blame for government shutdown.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference on the first day of a partial government shutdown at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 1, 2025.

Jonathan Ernst, REUTERS

A politics pit stop

•	Trump doubles funding for AI-enabled pediatric cancer research.
•	Judge rules Trump's deportation moves against pro-Palestinian students unconstitutional.
•	Paper checks will go away for Social Security and tax refunds.
•	White House withdraws nominee E.J. Antoni to lead Bureau of Labor Statistics.
•	What a government shutdown means for airports and flights.

What's happening with the Fed?

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said President Donald Trump cannot, for now, remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve board – a move that at least temporarily preserves the central bank's longstanding independence. It's also a setback for the president, who has been probing the limits of his executive power. Rather than grant Trump's emergency request, the high court said it would hear oral arguments on the issue in January. What to know about the court's decision.

Late night TV hits back at Trump

"Hi Donald!" It was a simple caption with three late-night television hosts that have each been on the receiving end of President Donald Trump's ire. "The Late Show" host Stephen Colbert and "Late Night" star Seth Meyers joined Jimmy Kimmel on stage for a photo posted on social media. Colbert was a guest on the Tuesday episode of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" But the photo indicates that Meyers made a surprise appearance during the show's taping. See the photo.

•	Jimmy Kimmel thought show was 'over' after his suspension.
•	Another late night host: Jimmy Fallon says show isn't 'that political' and hits 'both sides.'

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.