President Donald Trump is threatening mass layoffs even as the government shutdown approaches its sixth day. The Republican-led Senate was slated to vote again on dueling measures to fund federal agencies, including a Republican stopgap bill approved by the House of Representatives that would fund operations through Nov. 21, and a Democratic alternative.
Neither was expected to receive the 60 votes needed to advance.
As of October 2025, the United States is experiencing a partial government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 due to Congress failing to agree on a funding bill before the fiscal year ended. Around 900,000 federal employees have been furloughed, while another 700,000 continue working without pay. Essential services like Medicare and the TSA remain operational, but many agencies, including health and nutrition programs, face suspensions or reduced operations.
The shutdown stems from disputes over federal spending, with Democrats pushing to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies and oppose Medicaid cuts, while Republicans resist these measures. This stalemate has delayed key economic data releases, adding uncertainty to the U.S. economy. Negotiations are ongoing, but the shutdown’s continued impact threatens federal services and raises concerns about economic stability.
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White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told CNN’s “State of the Union” program he still saw a chance that Democrats would back down, averting a costly shutdown and federal employee layoffs that have been threatened by White House budget director Russell Vought.
“President Trump and Russ Vought are lining things up and getting ready to act if they have to, but hoping that they don’t,” Hassett said.
“It’s open up the government or else,” John Thune told the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“That’s really the choice that’s in front of them right now,” the South Dakota Republican said.
On Monday, the Senate is due to vote for a fifth time on the stopgap funding bill that has already passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and on a Democratic alternative. Neither measure is expected to receive the 60 votes needed to advance.
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Politically, the standoff reflects entrenched disagreements over healthcare subsidies, Medicaid funding, and foreign aid—issues that are unlikely to be resolved quickly. The repeated Senate votes that fail to meet the 60-vote threshold highlight how gridlock is preventing progress. The threat of mass layoffs, as emphasized by President Trump and administration officials, would further strain federal operations and harm millions of families reliant on government income.
If the government shutdown continues, the consequences could intensify significantly. Federal employees facing unpaid furloughs may experience increased financial hardship, leading to reduced consumer spending and broader economic ripple effects. Critical government functions, such as public health monitoring and emergency response, could face further disruptions, risking public safety and well-being.
Additionally, prolonged uncertainty could dampen investor confidence and slow economic growth, potentially affecting markets both domestically and internationally. Politically, extended deadlock may erode public trust in elected officials and governmental institutions, putting pressure on leaders to reach a compromise.