Shutdown Enters Sixth Day; Paychecks at Risk

The federal government has been partially shut down for six days as senators reconvene Monday for crucial stopgap funding votes with no immediate resolution. Democrats are insisting on renewing Affordable Care Act premium subsidies and blocking Medicaid cuts, while Republicans are pushing a short-term GOP funding measure — including a Nov. 21 option or a seven-week bill that has passed the House — producing a stalemate. President Donald Trump has escalated pressure by threatening mass layoffs, saying firings are “taking place right now,” and the administration has frozen funds for some projects. The shutdown has halted nonessential services and risks missed paychecks for hundreds of thousands of federal employees starting Oct. 10 and potential missed military pay shortly after, with several agencies facing operational disruptions. With the House mostly out of session and few signs of serious talks, both parties are betting public pressure will force concessions and the Senate is the immediate battleground to reopen the government.