Is the federal government still shut down? Here's what we know on Monday, Oct. 20. Terry Moseley, USA TODAY October 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM 1 The federal government shutdown continues on Monday, Oct. 20, marking the thirdlongest shutdown in U.S.
- - Is the federal government still shut down? Here's what we know on Monday, Oct. 20.
Terry Moseley, USA TODAY October 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM
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The federal government shutdown continues on Monday, Oct. 20, marking the third-longest shutdown in U.S. history, surpassed only by the 1995 and 2018-2019 shutdowns.Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona said on Sunday, Oct. 19 that lawmakers could reopen the government this week if the Republicans are willing to discuss health care subsidies now."We should be able to wrap things up this week, if they will sit down and have a negotiation with us," Kelly said on "Face the Nation."Republican Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama, who also appeared on Sunday's show, urged Democrats to "do the right thing" and reopen the government first.
The Senate will reconvene and vote on Monday at 5:30 p.m. ET for the 11th time to end the government shutdown. If the bill passes and is signed by President Donald Trump, the shutdown will end. If it fails, the shutdown will extend into its third week.
With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TlKxltNR5uq3ezWJ2aLDSw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD03NTk-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7d90ab49deeb40d61194ef5bf30a475a class=caas-img data-headline="See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open" data-caption="
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
">People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
" src=https://ift.tt/Spteyx4 class=caas-img>
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/z6dVnEy class=caas-img data-headline="See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open" data-caption="
Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
">Members of the National Guard patrol along the grounds of the US Capitol on the first day of the US government shutdown in Washington, DC, on October 1, 2025. Essential services, like military and law enforcement, remain working.
" src=https://ift.tt/z6dVnEy class=caas-img>
1 / 15See the impact of the government shutdown as agencies shutter or fight to stay open
People wait in line to enter the Federal Building in Los Angeles, California on October 1, 2025, where services are experiencing significant disruptions due to the federal government shutdown, as essential workers continue working without pay and non-essential federal workers are furloughed. With the government out of money after President Donald Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, many federal departments and agencies have been closed since midnight. See what remains open and what has closed.
Is the federal government still shut down?
Yes, the federal government remains largely shut down and has been since just after midnight on Oct. 1.
More than 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed and ordered not to report to work. Employees deemed essential to public safety, including military personnel, law enforcement officers, border patrol and air traffic controllers, are required to work regardless.
While Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to ensure active-duty military personnel are paid despite the shutdown, this doesn't apply to all federal workers required to stay on the job.
What do Democrats and Republicans want for the government to reopen?
Democrats are pushing to ensure tax breaks for 24 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act (referred to as "Obama Care") and have refused to back a government spending bill that doesn't address the issue.
The Senate Dems want to make the tax break permanent, which would otherwise expire at the end of the year, and provide reassurances to prevent the Trump administration from temporarily withholding funds.
Republicans and the president say they are open to considering a fix for the expiring ACA tax breaks, but want the issue addressed separately from the ongoing budget impasse. Republicans have also claimed that the Democratic proposal could partially pay for health coverage for people who are in the country illegally. That's not true, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
millions of Americans. Beyond the walls of Congress and the White House, a shutdown would ripple through various government-run programs, such as federally funded preschool, federal college grants and loans, food safety inspections and more. See the most memorable images from the longest federal government shutdown — which lasted 35 days spanning from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 — beginning here with an image that went viral of President Donald Trump alongside fast food he purchased for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers during their visit to the White House. Trump said the White House chefs are furloughed due to the shutdown.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Government shutdowns impact millions of Americans. Beyond the walls of Congress and the White House, a shutdown would ripple through various government-run programs, such as federally funded preschool, federal college grants and loans, food safety inspections and more. See the most memorable images from the longest federal government shutdown — which lasted 35 days spanning from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 — beginning here with an image that went viral of President Donald Trump alongside fast food he purchased for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers during their visit to the White House. Trump said the White House chefs are furloughed due to the shutdown.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/XTD8nRc8ZCCPZMYUeBigqw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c7cae9447f942779eaf13ac57fbc12fd class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Government shutdowns impact millions of Americans. Beyond the walls of Congress and the White House, a shutdown would ripple through various government-run programs, such as federally funded preschool, federal college grants and loans, food safety inspections and more. See the most memorable images from the longest federal government shutdown — which lasted 35 days spanning from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 — beginning here with an image that went viral of President Donald Trump alongside fast food he purchased for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers during their visit to the White House. Trump said the White House chefs are furloughed due to the shutdown.
">Government shutdowns impact millions of Americans. Beyond the walls of Congress and the White House, a shutdown would ripple through various government-run programs, such as federally funded preschool, federal college grants and loans, food safety inspections and more. See the most memorable images from the longest federal government shutdown — which lasted 35 days spanning from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 — beginning here with an image that went viral of President Donald Trump alongside fast food he purchased for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers during their visit to the White House. Trump said the White House chefs are furloughed due to the shutdown.
" src=https://ift.tt/ATfSzpw class=caas-img>
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) talking to the media following the Senate rejecting a pair of dueling bills to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/GBjDIfP class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) talking to the media following the Senate rejecting a pair of dueling bills to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history.
">Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) talking to the media following the Senate rejecting a pair of dueling bills to fund the federal government and end the longest partial government shutdown in history.
" src=https://ift.tt/GBjDIfP class=caas-img>
Passengers wait in a Transportation Security Administration line at JFK airport on Jan. 9, 2019 in New York City. Hundreds of TSA screeners and agents reportedly called in sick from their shifts from a number of major airports as the partial government shutdown continues. Employees of the TSA, whose job it is to keep airlines safe, are being forced to work without knowing when their next paycheck is coming.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N8JT_UW6VSNSwUQf._Tq8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a103971b4026822cb0c4030dbc2795c5 class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Passengers wait in a Transportation Security Administration line at JFK airport on Jan. 9, 2019 in New York City. Hundreds of TSA screeners and agents reportedly called in sick from their shifts from a number of major airports as the partial government shutdown continues. Employees of the TSA, whose job it is to keep airlines safe, are being forced to work without knowing when their next paycheck is coming.
">Passengers wait in a Transportation Security Administration line at JFK airport on Jan. 9, 2019 in New York City. Hundreds of TSA screeners and agents reportedly called in sick from their shifts from a number of major airports as the partial government shutdown continues. Employees of the TSA, whose job it is to keep airlines safe, are being forced to work without knowing when their next paycheck is coming.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/N8JT_UW6VSNSwUQf._Tq8w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/a103971b4026822cb0c4030dbc2795c5 class=caas-img>
Celebrity Chef Jose Andres (R) helps carry free meals for U.S. Park Police outside his World Central Kitchen January 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. Founded by Andres, World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. The pop-up kitchen has been providing meals to workers affected by the partial federal government shutdown since January 16 and started giving away groceries and providing other services this week.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/25vpBoS class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Celebrity Chef Jose Andres (R) helps carry free meals for U.S. Park Police outside his World Central Kitchen January 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. Founded by Andres, World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. The pop-up kitchen has been providing meals to workers affected by the partial federal government shutdown since January 16 and started giving away groceries and providing other services this week.
">Celebrity Chef Jose Andres (R) helps carry free meals for U.S. Park Police outside his World Central Kitchen January 22, 2019 in Washington, DC. Founded by Andres, World Central Kitchen is a not-for-profit non-governmental organization devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. The pop-up kitchen has been providing meals to workers affected by the partial federal government shutdown since January 16 and started giving away groceries and providing other services this week.
" src=https://ift.tt/25vpBoS class=caas-img>Furloughed contract workers, including security officers and custodians who have not been paid during the partial government shutdown, hold unpaid bills to present to the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 16, 2019. - Furloughed contract workers have not received back pay from previous government shutdowns, unlikely employees who work directly for the federal government. Four weeks into the US government shutdown, cash-strapped federal workers are tapping life-savings, selling possessions and turning to soup kitchens to make ends meet -- ramping up pressure for leaders in Washington to strike a deal.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/PUymJF5 class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Furloughed contract workers, including security officers and custodians who have not been paid during the partial government shutdown, hold unpaid bills to present to the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 16, 2019. - Furloughed contract workers have not received back pay from previous government shutdowns, unlikely employees who work directly for the federal government. Four weeks into the US government shutdown, cash-strapped federal workers are tapping life-savings, selling possessions and turning to soup kitchens to make ends meet -- ramping up pressure for leaders in Washington to strike a deal.
">Furloughed contract workers, including security officers and custodians who have not been paid during the partial government shutdown, hold unpaid bills to present to the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, January 16, 2019. - Furloughed contract workers have not received back pay from previous government shutdowns, unlikely employees who work directly for the federal government. Four weeks into the US government shutdown, cash-strapped federal workers are tapping life-savings, selling possessions and turning to soup kitchens to make ends meet -- ramping up pressure for leaders in Washington to strike a deal.
" src=https://ift.tt/PUymJF5 class=caas-img>TSA agent Anthony Morselli of Georgia, VT, shows his GoFundMe post on Facebook before starting his shift at Burlington International Airport on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Morselli and his wife, both TSA agents, didn't get paid along with approximately 800,000 other federal workers and, to try to make ends meet, started the GoFundMe site to try to pay the bills as the government shutdown entered it's 21st day.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xFNvEAjqZKAbdJvC645MBA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b47c34cf6400ad8bce98a34b6645d3ac class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
TSA agent Anthony Morselli of Georgia, VT, shows his GoFundMe post on Facebook before starting his shift at Burlington International Airport on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Morselli and his wife, both TSA agents, didn't get paid along with approximately 800,000 other federal workers and, to try to make ends meet, started the GoFundMe site to try to pay the bills as the government shutdown entered it's 21st day.
">TSA agent Anthony Morselli of Georgia, VT, shows his GoFundMe post on Facebook before starting his shift at Burlington International Airport on Friday, Jan. 11, 2019. Morselli and his wife, both TSA agents, didn't get paid along with approximately 800,000 other federal workers and, to try to make ends meet, started the GoFundMe site to try to pay the bills as the government shutdown entered it's 21st day.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xFNvEAjqZKAbdJvC645MBA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04MzM-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b47c34cf6400ad8bce98a34b6645d3ac class=caas-img>David Fitzpatrick, 64, a Park Ranger, holds an American flag and a placard stating "You're fired" with "Smokey the Bear," after a protest rally with furloughed federal workers and area elected officials in front of Independence Hall on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/MAFX8bu class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
David Fitzpatrick, 64, a Park Ranger, holds an American flag and a placard stating "You're fired" with "Smokey the Bear," after a protest rally with furloughed federal workers and area elected officials in front of Independence Hall on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
">David Fitzpatrick, 64, a Park Ranger, holds an American flag and a placard stating "You're fired" with "Smokey the Bear," after a protest rally with furloughed federal workers and area elected officials in front of Independence Hall on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
" src=https://ift.tt/MAFX8bu class=caas-img>
Tourists photograph the Liberty Bell, unable to go inside due to a lapse in federal appropriations on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5bQrU8uOxaR94ffCUz.WUg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b674c73b6240a73fbba45b2f2b465848 class=caas-img data-headline="White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown" data-caption="
Tourists photograph the Liberty Bell, unable to go inside due to a lapse in federal appropriations on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
">Tourists photograph the Liberty Bell, unable to go inside due to a lapse in federal appropriations on January 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/5bQrU8uOxaR94ffCUz.WUg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/b674c73b6240a73fbba45b2f2b465848 class=caas-img>
1 / 29White House Big Macs, trash-littered streets: See the longest government shutdown
Government shutdowns impact millions of Americans. Beyond the walls of Congress and the White House, a shutdown would ripple through various government-run programs, such as federally funded preschool, federal college grants and loans, food safety inspections and more. See the most memorable images from the longest federal government shutdown — which lasted 35 days spanning from Dec. 22, 2018 to Jan. 25, 2019 — beginning here with an image that went viral of President Donald Trump alongside fast food he purchased for the 2018 College Football Playoff National Champion Clemson Tigers during their visit to the White House. Trump said the White House chefs are furloughed due to the shutdown.
What happens to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid?
The Social Security Administration will continue to issue retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its staff and pause marketing campaigns, according to the agency's shutdown plan.
Payments will likewise continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health programs.
Does the US mail get delivered?
The U.S. Postal Service is open because it does not depend on Congress for funding, USPS said in a statement.
The sun rises behind the Capitol Building, weeks into the continuing U.S. government shutdown on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 18, 2025.
More: Trump shelves infrastructure projects in Democrat-led cities as shutdown slogs on
What about the airports?
Over 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are required to show up for work during the shutdown, and neither group is expected to be paid until Congress approves a budget deal.
Will food aid continue under SNAP and WIC?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the nation's largest food aid program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, will continue operations as funds allow, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
But the federal agency warned that there will not be enough funding to pay the entirety of SNAP benefits for November if the shutdown doesn't end.
State health officials across the country, including in North Carolina, Wisconsin and Minnesota, have begun warning recipients of the possible lack of funds for November.
What does a shutdown mean for the military?
Trump signed an executive order directing the Pentagon to ensure active-duty military personnel are paid despite the federal government shutdown.
While 1.3 million active-duty military did get paid on Oct. 15, roughly 55% of the Defense Department's 740,000 civilian employees have been furloughed, including those involved in training, procurement and administrative support. Civilians working in cybersecurity, medical care, weapons systems maintenance, intelligence and logistics are still working and are not included in Trump's order to pay active-duty personnel.
National Guard forces that Trump has deployed to U.S. cities must also continue to work.
What about Homeland Security, immigration and border officers?
Only 5% of the Department of Homeland Security's 271,000 workers have been furloughed, including those involved in research, planning, training and auditing.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed on Oct. 16 that more than 70,000 sworn law enforcement officers across the department, including those serving in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Secret Service, Transportation Security Administration and other critical mission areas, will be paid for all hours worked during the shutdown.
The shutdown, the 15th since 1981, is on track to become the third-longest in U.S. history, eclipsing the 17-day shutdown in 1978 under President Jimmy Carter and again in 2013 under President Barack Obama.
Contributors: USA TODAY's Zac Anderson, Fernando Cervantes, Amaris Encinas and Sudiksha Kochi; Reuters
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Federal government shutdown on Monday marks 3rd longest in US history
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