Oppose a Blank Check Federal Budget Deal - GOV SHUT DOWN (UPDATED 10/13)

Updates

Oct 13, 2025: As Congressional Republicans continue the governmental shutdown, the Trump administration is proceeding with mass layoffs of federal workers. The Department of Education team that oversees special education services for 7.5 milllion children with disabilities has been nearly eliminated, and hundreds of crucial public health workers have been fired from their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention jobs.

Oct 7, 2025: While Trump has reiterated threats of mass firings, and even threatened to illegally block back pay for the 750,000 federal workers already furloughed, Senate Democrats have continued to vote down the House-passed CR. Speaker Johnson has cancelled all work in the House, and Senate Majority Leader Thune has refused to negotiate with Democrats.

Oct 1, 2025: The Senate once again voted down the House Republican “clean” CR, resulting in a government shut down. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted No, while Senators Fetterman (D-PA), Cortez-Masto (D-NV), and King (I-ME) voted Yes. The Senate will likely continue to vote on the same measure as negotiations continue.

Sept 19, 2025: By a vote of 217-212, the House passed H.R. 5371, a “clean” Continuing Resolution (CR) to maintain current funding levels until November 21st. Rep. Golden (D-ME) voted Yes with Republicans, while Rep. Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Spartz (R-IN) voted No with Democrats. However, with a 44-48 vote, this blank check CR failed to pass the Senate. Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Paul (R-KY) voted No with Democrats, while Sen. Fetterman (D-PA) voted Yes with Republicans. The Senate also failed to pass S. 2882, a different CR proposed by Democrats that would permanently extend ACA tax credits, roll back “big beautiful bill” Medicaid cuts, restore funding for public broadcasting, and block the White House from illegally impounding federal funds; this vote was entirely partisan. Both the House and Senate will now be back home on recess until September 29th, and it is unclear if new legislation will be taken up to avert an October 1st government shutdown.

Congress must pass a new federal appropriations bill by September 30th to fund the government for fiscal year (FY) 2026; failure to do so will lead to a government shutdown starting on October 1st. Lawmakers may alternatively pass a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) that maintains current funding terms, like the one passed in March of this year. Either piece of legislation must pass the Senate by 60 votes to be enacted.

Throughout this term, the Trump administration has repeatedly defied Congress’ constitutional authority over tariffs, the military, and the federal budget. They have canceled or frozen federal funding for programs already approved by Congress with illegal impoundments and rescissions. Now, even if lawmakers pass a new 2026 budget, the Trump administration may not adhere to its terms, once again undermining the legislative branch and making unilateral funding decisions.

Directing federal appropriations is one of Congress’ most vital constitutional authorities. They must now use this important point of leverage to rein in the Trump administration’s authoritarian regime and serve as a check on this dangerous consolidation of power. Demand your representatives in Congress oppose any federal budget deal that serves as a blank check for Trump’s ongoing abuses of power.