As of late October 2025, none of the 12 annual appropriations bills necessary to fund the government have been signed. Senate Democrats have repeatedly rejected a short-term funding measure proposed by Republicans that would extend government operations to November 21, insisting on the need for healthcare and the extension of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) stated, “Every day that passes, we have less time to fund the government. It’s going to become harder and harder to actually have a normal appropriations process.”
The impacts of this funding impasse are already being felt. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has warned that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may face a funding shortfall starting November 1.
Federally employed air traffic controllers and other essential workers have reported missed paychecks. This shutdown has now become the second-longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 1995-96 government shutdown.
President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson have called for a “clean” continuing resolution, insisting that Democrats must vote first. In contrast, Senate Democrats argue that healthcare policy must be included in any funding agreement.
Without a funding deal, uncertainty is growing regarding essential services, including courts, national parks, and federal grant programs. This ongoing backlog of unpassed bills is forcing agencies to resort to stopgap measures and increasing executive discretion.
