The United States government shutdown entered its 20th day on Sunday, with the Senate set to reconvene on Monday, October 20, for another crucial vote
to restore temporary funding. Lawmakers will return at 3 p.m. ET to debate the stalled spending measure before casting their 11th vote at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET, according to the Senate’s official schedule. The previous vote on Thursday, October 16, failed to break the impasse, with both Democratic and Republican senators remaining entrenched in their positions. The key sticking point continues to be the exclusion of healthcare tax subsidies, a long-standing provision Democrats insist must be restored. President Donald Trump’s administration has argued the issue should be handled separately from the broader budget package.
Jeffries Calls for ‘Good Faith’ Talks as Millions Remain Furloughed
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries renewed his call for bipartisan cooperation following Thursday’s failed vote. “Every additional day of this shutdown is a day of pain for millions of American families,” Jeffries said, urging the Senate to “negotiate in good faith and bring relief to federal workers.”
The shutdown, now among the longest in US history, has left millions of federal employees either furloughed or working without pay. Essential services, including air travel operations and federal benefit processing, have been affected nationwide. Meanwhile, agencies warn that a prolonged closure could deepen economic disruptions heading into late October.
Monday Vote May Stretch Into Evening Hours
Senate aides have indicated that the Monday evening vote could be delayed if floor discussions extend beyond the scheduled two-and-a-half-hour debate period. Lawmakers are expected to revisit multiple amendments before the final motion to advance the continuing resolution.
Despite growing public frustration, neither side has shown signs of compromise. Republicans, aligned with President Trump’s fiscal strategy, continue to reject the Democrats’ healthcare demands, insisting on what they describe as “clean funding without entitlements.” Democrats, however, warn that excluding healthcare subsidies would drive up insurance premiums and “punish working families.”
For now, all eyes turn to the Senate floor on Monday at 5:30 p.m. ET, when lawmakers will once again attempt to break the gridlock that has paralysed Washington for nearly three weeks.
