The US Senate is set to vote on a temporary spending bill that could fail for the second time due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over health benefits extension. A government shutdown, which would be the 15th since 1981, remains a possibility at midnight as lawmakers struggle to reach an agreement.
President Donald Trump has threatened to take “irreversible” actions if the government shuts down, including shutting down programs important to Democrats. The spending bill, worth $1.7 trillion, funds agency operations and is roughly one-quarter of the government’s total budget.
Democrats are pushing for health benefits extension, while Republicans say they need to tackle the issue separately. Budget experts warn that a shutdown could disrupt services, affecting millions of Americans, including Medicare reimbursements for at-home “acute hospital care” and telehealth medical visits.
If a deal is not reached, federal agencies will begin issuing plans to close non-essential offices and send thousands of workers home. The longer the shutdown lasts, the broader its impact on public housing subsidies, Head Start programs, and other services.
Last-minute negotiations are ongoing, but it’s unclear if an agreement can be reached before midnight.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/government-shutdown-nears-with-no-deal-washington-2025-09-30