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The United States government shutdown entered its 17th day on Friday, making it the third-longest in modern American history as lawmakers remain deadlocked over a funding agreement. The Senate has failed ten times to advance legislation that would reopen the government, and with the upper chamber now adjourned for the weekend, the impasse is set to stretch well into next week.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune sent senators home after Thursday’s failed votes, ensuring that federal agencies will remain unfunded until at least Monday. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has been out of session since September 19, with no plans to return until a deal is reached. The ongoing gridlock has left millions of federal employees uncertain about their pay and pushed critical institutions to the brink of operational collapse.
One of the most pressing concerns is the situation within the National Nuclear Security Administration, which manages the country’s nuclear weapons stockpile. The agency announced that it will soon furlough around 80% of its workforce—roughly 1,400 employees—due to a lack of funds. Only essential personnel responsible for the safety and security of nuclear assets will continue working. Officials have warned that such deep cuts could pose serious national security risks.
The judiciary is also facing a funding cliff. The federal court system announced that by October 20, it will no longer be able to sustain “full, paid operations.” While federal judges will remain on duty, most court staff will be furloughed, with only those performing constitutionally required or life-and-property-safeguarding duties remaining on the job—and without pay.
In Congress, political tensions are escalating. Democrats have accused House Speaker Mike Johnson of using procedural maneuvers to delay the swearing-in of Representative-elect Adelita Grijalva of Arizona. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries warned that if she is not sworn in promptly, legal action could follow. Johnson dismissed the controversy as a “publicity stunt,” maintaining that the House will administer the oath once normal legislative business resumes.
Democrats, meanwhile, are holding firm on their demands to extend health care tax credits as part of any reopening deal. “We need to reopen the government now,” Jeffries declared, criticizing House Republicans for being “nowhere to be found” during the crisis.
As the standoff drags on, the real-world consequences continue to mount. Federal workers deemed “essential,” including members of the military and certain Department of Homeland Security officers, are being required to work without pay. Some agencies have promised back pay once the government reopens, but legal authority for such payments remains uncertain.
Historically, government shutdowns are a relatively recent feature of U.S. politics, dating back only to 1980 when legal opinions clarified that agencies cannot operate without congressional approval of funds. Since then, there have been 15 funding lapses, with the current one now surpassing the 2013 shutdown in length. Only the 1995 and 2018-2019 shutdowns—lasting 21 and 34 days respectively—were longer.
Senate leaders are expected to try again early next week to push through a temporary funding bill, but with no breakthrough in sight, Americans are bracing for a prolonged disruption. For now, the capital remains gridlocked—both politically and operationally—while essential federal functions continue under strain and millions wait anxiously for Washington to act.
