The Senate is expected to vote on legislation that could potentially end the government shutdown when it reconvenes on Friday, Nov. 7.

The showdown between Democrats and Republicans that has dragged on for five weeks doesn’t appear to have an end in sight as they dig into their positions.

The U.S. government shutdown began Oct. 1, 2025. Here's what to know about why it happened, who's still working, what benefits are affected and more.

But Trump, since returning from Asia last week, has gone from blaming Democrats for keeping the government closed to blaming Republicans for not killing the filibuster in order to restore funding.

Trump’s acknowledgment that the shutdown is weighing down Republicans could lead to a deal being worked out "very soon, if for no other reason than to take the media and public focus off the election results,” said Syracuse University political science professor Grant Reeher.

U.S. science always suffers during government shutdowns. Funding lapses send government scientists home without pay. Federal agencies suspend new grant opportunities, place expert review panels on hold, and stop collecting and analyzing critical public datasets that tell us about the economy, the environment and public health.

Democratic support for a potential deal to reopen the government has crumbled because of deep mistrust among Senate Democrats over whether they can trust President Trump to act in good faith to

The federal government will likely remain open as lawmakers on both sides banned together to avoid a shutdown.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats would end the government shutdown if Republicans agree to extend health care tax credits for a year. Follow live updates here.

The government shutdown has entered day 36 after a funding bill failed to pass. Here's how Wisconsin senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin voted.