Government Shutdown Continues

WASHINGTON — As the government shutdown reaches its 20th day, pressure is mounting on Congress to reach an agreement to fund federal operations and bring an end to the impasse that has left much of the government paralyzed. The Senate returns to session Monday, where lawmakers are expected to vote once again on a House-passed measure aimed at reopening the government.

Last Thursday, the Senate failed for the tenth time to advance a bill that would restore government funding, falling short of the 60 votes needed to move forward. The repeated gridlock has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers and military personnel either working without pay or furloughed, while essential services continue to operate with limited resources.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is expected to bring forward legislation this week to guarantee back pay for federal employees and ensure continued pay for active-duty military members. Advancing the measure, however, will require bipartisan cooperation. Many Democrats have signaled that they will not support piecemeal spending bills, arguing instead for a comprehensive solution that funds the entire government. Last week, Senate Democrats blocked a long-term defense spending bill, saying it would do little to help the hundreds of thousands of civilian workers affected by the shutdown.

The impact of the funding lapse is becoming more pronounced across several federal agencies. On Friday, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which manages the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, informed a senior Republican lawmaker that it plans to furlough 80% of its workforce due to the ongoing funding shortfall. The decision could affect operations at nuclear facilities in New Mexico, Tennessee, and Nevada.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright is traveling to Nevada on Monday, where he is expected to hold a press conference discussing the state of the country’s nuclear deterrent and broader national security concerns during the shutdown. His visit comes as several departments struggle to maintain basic operations, facing delays in contracts, suspended programs, and growing uncertainty among workers.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is not scheduled to reconvene in Washington this week. Republican leaders in the House have maintained that it is now the Senate’s responsibility to advance a funding package to reopen the government. The House has not voted since September 19, leaving little movement on the legislative front as negotiations remain stalled.

Across the country, the effects of the shutdown continue to ripple outward. Federal employees face another week without pay, and key services, from national parks to small business loan programs, remain disrupted. Economists have warned that if the shutdown continues for much longer, it could begin to slow economic growth and erode public trust in government institutions.

As Day 20 begins, lawmakers return to Washington under growing public pressure to end the deadlock. Yet with partisan divisions still deep and neither side showing signs of compromise, there is little indication that a breakthrough is imminent.