October 1, 2025
About 750,000 federal workers furloughed as Senate votes fail amid ACA subsidy fight
Republicans control all branches but blame Democrats for shutdown
💵Tax & Budget🏛️Government🏢Legislative Process
At 12:01 a.m.\n\nEDT on October 1, 2025, the federal government shut down after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on competing stopgap funding measures.\n\nCloture and final vote attempts on rival continuing resolutions repeatedly failed, including cloture tallies such as 55–45 and 47–53 on separate motions, leaving the Senate short of the 60 votes needed to advance some measures.\n\nPresident Donald Trump publicly urged Republican firmness in the dispute and met with GOP senators.\n\nThe Office of Management and Budget issued contingency guidance directing agencies to prepare reduction-in-force and shutdown staffing plans; unions sued OMB and OPM over those instructions.\n\nThe lapse forced roughly three-quarters of a million federal employees into furloughs and left hundreds of thousands of additional employees working without pay.
The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025, after the Senate failed to invoke cloture on competing stopgap funding measures. The Senate needed 60 votes to end debate but repeatedly fell short with tallies like 55-45 and 47-53.
Approximately 750,000 federal employees were furloughed without pay, while 700,000+ essential workers were required to continue working without immediate paychecks. This affected agencies across the executive branch.
The shutdown centered on a dispute over extending enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits set to expire December 31, 2025. Democrats demanded immediate extension; Republicans wanted to negotiate separately.
President 
Donald Trump publicly urged Republican senators to hold firm in the dispute and met with GOP leadership to coordinate strategy. Trump used the shutdown as leverage for policy concessions.
OMB Director 
Russell Vought issued contingency guidance on September 30, 2025, directing agencies to prepare reduction-in-force and shutdown staffing plans. This guidance went beyond standard shutdown procedures.
Labor unions AFGE and AFSCME filed suit on September 30, 2025, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenging OMB and OPM guidance that directed agencies to consider RIFs during the funding lapse.
The 2018-2019 government shutdown lasted 35 days and cost the economy $11 billion according to Congressional Budget Office estimates. That shutdown permanently reduced GDP by $3 billion as economic activity was lost forever.
Federal contractors faced $2 billion in losses during the 2018-2019 shutdown and were not guaranteed back pay, unlike federal employees who receive back pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.
💵Tax & Budget🏛️Government🏢Legislative Process
People, bills, and sources
What You Can Do
1
civic action
Check your agency pay schedule and eligibility for state unemployment
Furloughed employees may qualify for state unemployment insurance while furloughed. Agencies are the authoritative source for furlough status and pay-cycle impact.
info@
Phone Call Script: Office of Personnel Management - Furlough and Unemployment Benefits
Opening: Hello, I'm a furloughed federal employee calling to understand my pay schedule and eligibility for state unemployment benefits during the shutdown.
Key information to have ready:
- Your agency name
- Your employee ID or Social Security Number
- Your furlough status and dates
Key points to discuss:
- The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 1, 2025
- Roughly 750,000 federal employees were furloughed
- About 700,000+ essential workers are working without immediate pay
- Furloughed employees may qualify for state unemployment insurance while furloughed
Questions to ask:
- What is my furlough status, and when did it begin?
- When will I receive my last paycheck before the shutdown?
- Am I eligible for state unemployment benefits while furloughed?
- How do I apply for unemployment benefits in my state?
- Will I receive back pay when the shutdown ends?
- What documentation do I need to apply for unemployment?
- How does the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 affect my situation?
Why this matters: Furloughed federal employees need income to pay bills and support their families. Understanding your options for unemployment benefits and back pay helps you plan financially during the shutdown.
Specific request: I'm requesting information about my furlough status, pay schedule, eligibility for state unemployment benefits, and the process for applying for those benefits.
Contact: Office of Personnel Management: 202-606-1800 Email: info@opm.gov Website: https://www.opm.gov/
Thank you for your assistance.
2
understanding
Track proposed subsidy changes before open enrollment
Consumers eligible for ACA marketplace subsidies should follow Congressional action through November and December 2025, because subsidy law changes can alter 2026 premiums.
support@
How to Track ACA Subsidy Changes During Shutdown
Background: The federal government shut down on October 1, 2025, after the Senate failed cloture votes on competing stopgap funding measures. The shutdown was tied to an ACA subsidy fight. Consumers eligible for ACA marketplace subsidies should follow Congressional action through November and December 2025, because subsidy law changes can alter 2026 premiums.
Key information:
- Enhanced premium tax credits may expire on December 31, 2025
- If enhanced credits expire, subsidized enrollees could see out-of-pocket premium increases of more than 75% on average
- Open enrollment for 2026 coverage typically runs from November 1 to January 15
- Congressional action during the shutdown and after could affect subsidy availability
How to track changes:
-
Monitor Congressional action:
- Track bills related to ACA subsidies and premium tax credits
- Follow Senate and House votes on spending bills that may include subsidy provisions
- Watch for reconciliation bills or other legislation affecting subsidies
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Check Health Insurance Marketplace:
- Call: 1-800-318-2596
- Website: https://www.healthcare.gov/
- Sign up for email updates about subsidy changes
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Contact your state insurance department:
- Find your state office: https://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm
- Ask about state-level programs that might offset subsidy losses
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Follow news and advocacy groups:
- Monitor healthcare policy news
- Follow advocacy groups tracking ACA subsidy legislation
What to watch for:
- Extension of enhanced premium tax credits beyond December 31, 2025
- Changes to subsidy eligibility thresholds
- New legislation affecting marketplace subsidies
- Final 2026 premium rates (typically released in October)
Why this matters: Subsidy changes can significantly affect your 2026 health insurance costs. Tracking Congressional action helps you understand your options and prepare for potential premium increases.