The U.S. federal government is expected to shut down at midnight on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, if Congress does not approve a funding bill to keep it open. This shutdown would begin at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, unless an agreement is reached between Republicans and Democrats on the crucial spending legislation required to fund government operations beyond the current fiscal year start date.
The core issue is a failure in Congress, controlled by Republicans but lacking enough votes in the Senate to pass the spending bill, to reach consensus with Democrats, who are demanding healthcare-related provisions as part of the funding deal. Without a deal, much of the federal government will halt non- essential operations, potentially furloughing around 900,000 federal workers, while essential personnel will continue working without pay until funding resumes.
This would be the first U.S. government shutdown in nearly seven years, and it stems from a stalemate over healthcare funding and spending levels, despite leadership efforts including a recent White House meeting aimed at resolving the impasse. Past shutdowns saw furloughed employees reinstated with back pay, but the current administration has indicated plans for more substantial layoffs, raising concerns among federal workers and Democratic leaders.