Government Shutdown Continues
November 4, 2025
The federal government shutdown continues into this week, though there seems to be a shift to a desire to end it as the impacts ripple through the economy and test public patience.
- President Trump recently weighed in, calling on the Senate to end the filibuster, also known as invoking the nuclear option.
- This would remove the 60-vote threshold in the chamber to pass major legislation and would allow Republicans to quickly end the shutdown on a partisan vote.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other key GOP senators support maintaining the filibuster.
The big picture:
- Federal workers continue to miss paychecks. Members of the military were paid on Oct. 31, but they could miss an upcoming paycheck on November 14 if the shutdown is not resolved.
- Food stamp benefits have run out of money for November potentially impacting 42 million recipients. Some states are trying to tap emergency reserves as federal officials said there is no money available. This is the first time ever that a lapse has occurred in the SNAP program.
- A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to send out the funding for food stamp benefits; it remains to be seen however if they will do so.
- Insurance premium notifications for exchange policies went live on November 1. The higher prices could boost Democrats’ calls for action on expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies. Democrats singular policy demand to end the shutdown has been an extension of these subsidies, and the higher prices could start to make Republicans feel the pain from their constituents back home.
- Air travel strains under shutdown: Flights are still running, but the system’s under growing stress. TSA and FAA staff are working unpaid, leading to mounting fatigue and rising call-outs among air traffic controllers. The FAA reports staffing-related delays now cause more than half of flight holdups—up from just 5% before the shutdown.
Why it matters: The effects of the government shutdown will only continue to worsen as it enters its second month. It’s unclear what the tipping point will be to end the shutdown, but it looks likely to set a new record as the longest shutdown in US history.
Please contact
David McCarthy (
dmccarthy@crefc.org) or
James Montfort (
jmontfort@crefc.org) with any questions.