Government Shutdown Begins Amid Senate Deadlock

The federal government shut down after the Senate twice failed to reach the 60-vote threshold to advance a House-passed continuing resolution, leaving no immediate path to restore funding and pushing further Senate action until after Yom Kippur. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned federal layoffs are “imminent” as funding lapses threaten programs including SNAP, housing assistance, Social Security services and federally supported local programs. TSA said most agents are excepted but some employees will be furloughed and extended airport waits are possible, while other agencies face suspended operations or delayed services. The partisan impasse centers on Democrats seeking to extend enhanced ACA subsidies and Republicans pressing a short-term funding extension, with members of Congress trading blame and no clear path to resolution. States and localities are already feeling effects—Arkansas officials say 12,421 state positions have federal funding ties and 264 employees were immediately furloughed—and utilities, municipalities and nonprofits in the D.C. region are rolling out assistance such as payment plans, waivers and LIHEAP referrals.