Government Shutdown Update as of...

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Today is Day 37 of the federal government shutdown.

SNAP Litigation

GREAT NEWS! In a hearing today, a federal judge ordered the Administration to provide FULL SNAP benefits to households by tomorrow, November 7. In a motion to the court, attorneys for NCN and the other plaintiffs argued that the Administration's decision to only provide partial benefits violated the court's previous order. The judge issued a new temporary restraining order to require the Administration to provide full funding by tomorrow, November 7.

As NCN president and CEO Diane Yentel says in a press statement, “I applaud the court for taking action to prevent the Trump Administration from using food assistance as a political tool. America’s families, children, and seniors cannot wait for basic and critically needed food security, and this court order makes clear that there is no excuse for the Administration’s decision to leave them without food on their tables. Nonprofit food banks and food pantries are already doing everything they can to serve their communities. Every delay or reduction in SNAP benefits puts an unsustainable strain on the nonprofit sector.”

This is another important victory for the 42 million people who rely on SNAP and nonprofits nationwide working to address hunger in their communities!

Hill Updates

Congressional leaders are starting to discuss the details of a deal to reopen and fund the government. Republicans first need to get on the same page about how long the continuing resolution (CR) should last; conservative members want the CR to go into January, worried that a December deadline will force House Republicans to accept a final spending package they oppose. For that reason, many suspect that the CR will keep the government funded into January.

A package of full spending bills - called a "minibus" - could be added to the CR, including spending for Agriculture-FDA, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, and Legislative Branch. Members of Congress see this as a sign of good faith that both parties want to negotiate regular appropriations bills and avoid a future government shutdown.

Republicans have signaled that they willing to discuss rehiring federal workers who have been laid off during the shutdown as part of a deal to end it.

It is unclear how Congress and the White House will resolve the issue of expiring Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits.

Impacts

A new poll found that:

• Nearly 80 percent of voters want President Donald Trump to use emergency dollars to pay SNAP benefits in November
• 65 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats were supportive of using reserve funds to keep SNAP benefits afloat.
• More than three-fourths of voters had a favorable view of SNAP and said they would be “very” or “somewhat” concerned if benefits were paused. 
   

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Today is Day 36 of the federal government shutdown, making it the longest in U.S. history.

SNAP Litigation

After President Trump threatened not to comply with a federal court judge's order to use contingency funds to provide partial SNAP benefits, the White House backtracked. NCN and the other plaintiffs in the case filed a second motion yesterday, urging the court to require the Administration use additional discretionary funds to provide full SNAP benefits. The Administration is required to respond to our motion by the end of the day today, and a hearing will be held tomorrow at 3:30pm to hear arguments.

Hill Updates

Now that the election has passed, there is some hope that members of Congress and the White House can reach an agreement on reopening and funding the federal government.

Senate Republicans met this morning with the President to discuss strategy, while Senate Democrats met yesterday for nearly 3 hours. This morning, Senate Democrat Leader Schumer and House Leader Jeffries sent a letter to the President this morning, demanding a meeting to negotiate an end to the shutdown.

There are a lot of details that need to be negotiated for a continuing resolution (CR): some members of Congress want to add a full spending bill for Agriculture programs, including funding to replenish the SNAP contingency fund; there are still open questions about whether the bill needs to address back pay for federal workers; and some policymakers want to undo the federal worker layoffs conducted during the shutdown.

Impacts

• Transportation Secretary Duffy warned of significant travel disruptions in next week if the shutdown continues. Unpaid air traffic controllers and security officers are calling out sick from work, leading to staffing shortages. Without paychecks, many workers are picking up a second job to help cover their living expenses.
• More than 100 Head Start programs are in danger of closing soon or already shuttering some operations after funding didn’t come on a Saturday deadline. In October, which was the first month for the shutdown, only six programs were impacted. But for November, another 134 Head Start programs lost funding. As a result, working parents scrambling to access child care.
• Some states, including Kansas, Pennsylvania, New York and Minnesota, have announced delays in funding for LIHEAP programs, or programs that help low-income households afford heating costs. The program services 120,000 households, both homeowners and renters, that include many older adults, young children and people with disabilities. In Maine, many warn that "people will freeze to death" if heating aid doesn't arrive soon.

Worth Reading

• Who Is Missing Paychecks in the 2025 Shutdown—When and Where?, Bipartisan Policy Center, updated Nov. 5, 2025.
• Federal Government Shutdown: What It Means for States and Programs, National Conference of State Legislatures, updated Nov. 4, 2025.
• A Quantitative Analysis of the Effects of the Government Shutdown on the Economy Under Three Scenarios, Congressional Budget Office, Oct. 29, 2025.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Today is Day 35 of the federal government shutdown. We are on the cusp of this becoming the longest ever government shutdown tonight at midnight.

SNAP Litigation

Yesterday, the Trump Administration reported to the federal court in Rhode Island its plans to comply with the court's order to use contingency funds to provide SNAP benefits. While only partial SNAP benefits would be provided to households, it was an important first step. NCN also urged the Administration to use other discretionary funds to ensure every person who relies on SNAP receives their full benefits.

Today, President Trump posted on social media, threatening to not comply with the court's order until Senate Democrats agree to reopen and fund the government. The announcement, which appears to violate the court order, comes only hours after USDA sent guidance to states instructing them on how to disseminate SNAP benefits in November.

In response, NCN president and CEO Diane Yentel issued a statement, saying "Using food assistance as a political tool is reprehensible and must not stand. The court’s order is clear - the federal government must act urgently to provide food assistance during the shutdown. The administration should immediately comply with the court order and ensure that SNAP benefits reach families, children, and seniors who cannot wait for basic and needed food security.”

Hill Updates

A growing number of Republican and Democratic policymakers in DC are eager to move forward with negotitations to end the government shutdown. At this time, those negotiations have focused on enacting a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the government - possibly through the end of the year or early 2026 - reaching an agreement about moving forward with full appropriations bills, and guaranteeing a vote on the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits. Many other Democrats, however, are urging their colleagues to hold out for an agreement to extend the healthcare tax credits, rather than merely a vote.

There is still widespread disagreement about how to address the healthcare tax credits. A small group of moderate Republicans and Democrats in the House unveiled their "principles" for any bipartisan agreement, including a two-year extension of the enhanced tax credits and an income limit on who can qualify for them, which would range from $200,000 to $400,000. The group included a call for anti-fraud measures.

There is hope that the Senate could pass a CR by the end of the week. If that happens, the House will be brought back into session to vote on the measure before it goes to the President's desk for his signature.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Day 34 of the federal government shutdown.

Congress and the White House are on track for breaking the record for the longest government shutdown in history if it continues through Tuesday at midnight.

SNAP Litigation

The federal court of Rhode Island issued a temporary restraining order last Friday, directing the federal government to use a $6 billion contingency fund to continue SNAP benefits during the government shutdown.

Today, the Trump Administration informed the court that it plans to use the full contingency fund to provide partial payments to states administering SNAP. NCN issued a press statement, stating that "today’s announcement is an important first step, but it’s not enough. Millions of families, children, and seniors remain at risk of delayed or reduced food assistance. The federal government must act urgently to ensure every person who relies on SNAP receives their full benefits."

Because of logistical delays, there will be a gap before households receive SNAP benefits. During this time, nonprofit food banks, food pantries, and other organizations will continue to step up to help address urgent needs in their communities.

Impacts

While the Administration moves to release SNAP funds, some grocery stores have offered discounts to SNAP households while they wait for their benefits.

In response, the Trump Administration has sent letters to grocery stores, informing them they are prohibited from offering special discounts to customers affected by the SNAP funding lapse. The message states that "offering discounts or services only to SNAP paying customers is a SNAP violation unless you have a SNAP Equal Treatment waiver." Violating grocery stores may be barred from accepting SNAP in the future; in food deserts, this could leave low-income households without any SNAP-accepting grocery store.

The Trump administration has identified $450 million to continue to fund the WIC program. The new funds are estimated to last between two to three weeks, but they may run out more quickly if additional households apply for WIC assistance while SNAP is unfunded.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Day 29 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Updates

Not much shifted politically on the 29th day of the federal government shutdown. Everyone expects the shutdown to continue into November, and both parties are waiting to see what the fallout is when the shutdown continues past November 1 when funding for SNAP, WIC, and HeadStart runs out. Many Republicans believe Democrats will face enormous blowback in their districts, pushing them towards flipping their votes.

Impacts

• The U.S. will lose between $7B and $14B, due to the shutdown, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
• While most federal workers are going without pay, the Trump administration has shifted funds around to ensure paychecks for the Coast Guard, FBI, Secret Service and TSA, along with Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
• Food aid - known as SNAP and WIC- will be halted this weekend for millions of Americans, if the Trump administration doesn’t tap contingency funding. Senate Republicans plan to block a Democratic bill to require the administration to fund both SNAP and WIC, and to reimburse states for floating benefits during the shutdown.
• House employees, who are paid once a month, are set to miss their first paycheck this week.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Day 28 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Updates

The Senate voted today for the 13th time to reopen the government, and for the 13th time, the measure failed.

As November 1 approaches, there is increasing pressure on Congress and the White House to reach a deal to reopen and fund the government, but so far, neither party has indicated a willingness to reach a compromise. Starting on November 1, funding for SNAP, WIC, and HeadStart will run out, leaving millions of Americans without critical food assistance or early education programming.

Advocates have urged the White House to use a SNAP contingency fund to help extend SNAP benefits to households into November, but the Administration has held that “contingency funds are not legally available to cover regular benefits.” Speaker Johnson (R-LA) agreed with the Trump Administration's interpretation of the law, stating that he found the legal argument to be "legitimate." Organizations, such as the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, however, dispute that claim, citing past examples of when the contingency fund has been deployed, including during the first Trump Administration. If Congress or the White House doesn't step in with more money, SNAP benefits would lapse for the first time in modern history.

In response to this threat, Attorneys General from 25 states and the District of Columbia filed litigation, challenging the administration's decision not to tap emergency funds in court.

Members of Congress have also introduced competing bills to address SNAP funding. Senate Democrats - led by Sen. Luján (D-NM) - are preparing to introduce a bill to continue funding for food aid benefits, such as SNAP and WIC. Senate Republicans - led by Sen. Hawley (R-MO) - have a separate bill to fully fund SNAP. Rep. Bresnahan (R-PA) introduced a bill to fund WIC during the government shutdown. None of these bills have a path forward at this time.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in San Francisco indefinitely barred the Trump administration from firing federal employees during the government shutdown, saying that labor unions were likely to prevail on their claims that the cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated.

Worth Reading

The government shutdown shows the need to reform how the federal government funds Native American tribes and communities, Brookings, Oct. 28, 2025.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Monday, October 27, 2025

Day 27 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Updates

Congress and the White House are just days away from a significant escalation of the government shutdown. Starting Saturday, November 1, SNAP benefits will be stopped for over 40 million people, active-service military members will miss their next paychecks, and millions of Americans will see sharp increases to their healthcare premium costs. Plus, more than 58,000 children in 134 Head Start centers across 41 states and Puerto Rico will miss out on their federal grants.

Democratic and Republican strategists and pollsters agree that the government shutdown is a growing liability for both parties, as members of Congress hear from their constituents. The changing political dynamics could push both parties towards reaching an agreement.

Several Senators are introducing legislation to blunt some of the harshest impacts of the shutdown, but none are expected to be enacted soon. Sen. Hawley (R-MO) said he may try to push forward a bill to fund SNAP for the duration of the shutdown. Sen. Cruz (R-TX) has a bill to pay air traffic controllers, and Sen. Sullivan (R-AK) has legislation to pay troops. Meanwhile, a bipartisan effort from Sen. Johnson (R-WI) and Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD) to reach an agreement on legislation to pay federal workers and active-duty military is seen as having the best chance for moving forward.

Worth Reading

Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, was featured in this CNBC article about how the shutdown is harming nonprofits nationwide. As Diane explains, “Nonprofits are on the frontlines of serving communities, but a government shutdown makes it harder for them to fulfill their missions. The longer this shutdown lasts, the more people and communities are left without the critical services they depend on."

NH Public Radio recently reported New Hampshire's plan for SNAP benefit recipients if the shutdown halts November benefits. The state has enlisted the help of the New Hampshire Food Bank but advocates stress that this is not a replacement for SNAP benefits, and the NH Food Bank is concerned that even with additional state dollars,meeting demand will be challenging.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Friday, October 24, 2025

Day 24 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Updates

Yesterday, the Senate failed to pass two competing bills - one from Republicans, and one from Democrats - aimed at ensuring federal workers and active-duty military members are paid on time. The Senate could vote again next week, if the two parties can bridge their differences this weekend. Sens. Johnson (R-WI), Van Hollen (D-MD) and Peters (D-MI) are reportedly working to merge their competing proposals, with the hopes of finding a compromise that can garner the support needed for enactment. A major sticking point will likely be a provision included in Van Hollen’s bill that limits the President's ability to fire federal employees during the shutdown.

Impacts

Congressional leaders are all looking to November 1, when open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act marketplace begins and Americans will see a significant increase in premiums, if Congress does not extend the enhanced premium tax credits that expire this year. November 1 also brings a cliff for SNAP, which will impact millions of Americans.

While advocates had been urging USDA to release contingency funds to continue SNAP benefits, the agency stated today that it cannot do so and that states won't be reimbursed if they cover the expenses on their own. This leaves 42 million low-income people without access to SNAP benefits if Congress doesn't agree to a deal to fund and reopen the government. Many see USDA's announcement as yet another effort by the White House to maximize pressure on Senate Democrats.
 

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Hill Updates

This shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, and there is still no solution in sight. As Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) says, neither party sees an incentive in reaching a compromise. "Both sides think there is political advantage in sticking with the positions that they have."

The House is still on recess, and the Senate continues to bring the House-passed Continuing Resolution (CR) to reopen the government to the floor for a vote daily. Today, the Senate is expected to vote on the measure for the 12th time. The bill is not expected to pass.

Currently, there are no top-level negotiations between congressional leaders and the White House. Senate Leader Schumer (D-NY) and House Leader Jeffries (D-NY) requested a meeting with the President to jumpstart negotiations on extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, but the request was denied; President Trump says he will meet with Democrats, but only after the government is reopened. In addition, 13 House Republicans sent a letter to Speaker Johnson (R-LA), urging Congress to reach a deal to extend and reform the healthcare tax credits after the government reopens.

Members of Congress are growing frustrated. Some Senate Republicans have suggested changing the filibuster rules to reduce the number of votes needed to reopen the government, despite Senate Leader Thune (R-SD)'s opposition. Both parties are working on separate, competing bills to continue pay for certain federal workers.

Impacts

• The National WIC Association warns that emergency funds are set to run out by the end of October. States have started furloughing clinic employees and waitlisting applicants. Other states are preparing to close clinics offering nutritional and health care services and block families from using their benefits for two to four days before Nov. 1 to ensure that funding accounts are not overdrawn. Nearly 7 million low-income pregnant women, mothers, infants and children rely on WIC for nutritious foods, infant formula and health services.
• The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), representing state directors of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is urging electric and gas utilities across the nation to immediately suspend service disconnections for nonpayment until the government is reopened and LIHEAP funds can be distributed.
• If the shutdown continues past November 1, 140 Headstart programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico, serving more than 65,000 children, will be forced to draw on emergency local resources to stay open.
• Some state agencies say they may not have the funds to reimburse schools providing free and low-cost meals. USDA released funds to regional offices for meals served in October, but some states report they have yet to receive any money.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Hill Update

In a sign of progress, Republican leaders are now preparing for negotiations with Democrats to reopen the government. Reports suggest that congressional leaders are discussing options with the White House over how to structure an extension of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which expire this year and which Democrats have made their top priority in negotiations. Republicans are also discussing internally changes they may want to advocate for in exchange for extending the tax credits, including imposing an income limit for beneficiaries, requiring individuals to pay a minimum out-of-pocket premium, or cutting off new enrollment in the program, among other ideas.

According to reports, Republicans may offer to attach a two-year extension of the tax credits - alongside policy changes - to a larger package of bipartisan, full-year spending bills or another continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open. Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) suggested that Republicans are talking internally about whether to propose a longer-term CR to keep the government open through December, spring 2026, or for the full fiscal year. A full-year CR provides level funding for federal programs, but fails to keep up with rising costs and inflation.

Impacts

Regional SNAP directors received a warning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, directing states to delay depositing November's SNAP benefits on EBT cards, which people can use like a debit card to pay for food at farmers’ markets and most grocery stores. Officials in Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia issued similar warnings, saying that SNAP funds could run out in a matter of days.

The disruption of funds could leave more than 40 million low-income people, about 1 in 8 people in the U.S., without the food assistance they need, including about 16 million children, 8 million older adults, and 4 million people with disabilities.

Advocates are urging the White House to release SNAP's contingency fund and give states guidance on the amount of SNAP benefits they should issue in November, as SNAP law requires, to ensure that families can put food on the table next month.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.

• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

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Monday, October 20, 2025

Day 20 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Update

The Senate is back in town, and it will vote this evening for the 11th time on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the government through November 21. The Senate will also vote this week on the "Shutdown Fairness Act," which if enacted, would ensure timely paychecks for federal employees who are required to work during the shutdown. Senate Democrats are expected to block both bills. Democrats continue to withhold their support for reopening the government until Congress and the White House agree to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits that expire this year.

Impacts

• Health insurance prices for next year under the Affordable Care Act are now available in about a dozen states, including California, New York, Nevada, Maryland, and Idaho. Many Americans can now see how much their healthcare costs will increase, if Congress does not extend the tax credits.
• Democratic-led congressional districts account for 97% of $28 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects that the Trump administration has frozen or canceled during the shutdown:
  • 87 Democratic districts have lost $27.24 billion for projects.
  • 14 Republican districts have lost $738.7 million.
• The administration has put on hold roughly $18 billion to fund a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey and an extension of the city’s Second Avenue subway. It canceled $7.6 billion in grants that supported hundreds of clean energy projects in 16 states.
• The U.S. Travel Association said the travel economy is expected to lose $1 billion a week as travelers change plans because national parks and historic sites are closed to visitors.
• The FAA has reported air controller shortages from airports in Boston and Philadelphia, to control centers in Atlanta and Houston. Flight delays have spread to airports in Nashville, Tennessee, Dallas, Newark, New Jersey and more.
• According to a survey, 20% of small businesses that rely on government contracts have been forced to pull back on spending to make payroll, including hiring, supplies and services. They warn that customer demand could drop amid economic uncertainty and instability.

Upcoming Dates

• Today, October 20 - Senate staff miss their paychecks (don't worry - Senators will still be paid on time!);
• October 24 - Many federal workers will miss their paychecks for work done this month;
• October 31 - Military members will miss their next paycheck (although the Administration has shifted funds to make their October 15 paychecks); and
• November 1 - The Administration says they have shifted money to keep WIC and SNAP funded, but there may still be a disruption of services.
   

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work.

You can take action:

Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.

Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

It is Day 16 of the federal government shutdown.

Hill Updates

The Senate voted again for the 10th time today on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the government through Nov. 21. And for the 10th time, the measure failed. Does it feel like Groundhog Day yet?

In a change of strategy, Senate Republicans attempted to bring a full-year Defense spending bill to the floor for a vote this afternoon, in hopes to peel off some Democrats. Democrats defeated the measure, arguing that they won't vote to enact one spending bill without a clearer understanding and agreement about how the whole government will be funded.

After today's votes, the Senate has adjourned until Monday afternoon, guaranteeing that the federal government will be closed for at least 20 days.

In a positive move, Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) offered Democrats to guarantee a vote on legislation to extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, if Democrats agree to vote in favor of a CR to reopen the government. Thune continues to insist, however, that Republicans will not negotiate on the substance of any extension of the tax credits, which are set to expire this year, until the government is reopened.

Democrats, meanwhile, want greater assurances that the tax credits will be extended (as opposed to only getting assurances that a vote will be held). Moderate Republican Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) said she understands Democrats' lack of trust in these negotiations, pointing to the Trump administration’s past use of “pocket rescissions” to claw back billions in government funding that had already been approved by Congress.

A recent poll found that Americans blame Republicans and Democrats roughly equally for the shutdown. 58% of Americans surveyed said both Republicans in Congress and Trump are responsible for the shutdown, while 54% said Democrats in Congress are responsible. Those numbers split along party lines - which explains why both sides are so dug in.

After Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought threatened to fire as many as 10,000 federal employees, a federal court judge issued a temporary restraining order last night preventing the Administration from moving forward with these plans.

NCN Resources

• Press Statement on 10/16: Federal Shutdown Puts Nonprofits In Limbo, Communities at Risk
• Resources on the Government Shutdown
• Media Factsheet
• What Nonprofits Should Do

Impacts

• Impact on food banks
• Impact on SNAP
• Impact on federal workers

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work. 

You can take action:

• Share Your Story Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

The Senate will vote for the 8th time on a short-term gap measure to reopen and fund the government through November 21. For the 8th time, the measure is expected to fail to garner the 60 votes needed for enactment.

Congress and the White House are largely dug in, and they show no signs of moving off of their initial positions. There have not been any negotiations among congressional leaders since the shutdown began. Both Republicans and Democrats remain steadfast in believing that the other party will eventually cave.

Many policymakers believed that October 15 would have been a major pressure point for negotiations. This is the date when active-duty military members were set to miss their first paycheck. Now that the Trump Administration has shifted funding around to ensure military members are paid tomorrow, however, experts warn the shutdown could drag on for weeks more.

Layoffs:

Last Friday, the White House laid off 1,000s of federal workers, as part of their effort to maximize pressure on Democrats. Now, the White House is warning that there will be more layoffs, if the shutdown continues.

Some agencies most impacted include:

• Treasury - 1,446 workers laid off, including those in the Large Business and International (LB&I) Division, which handles tax administration for domestic and foreign corporations, as well as in the Information Technology Division and the Office of Privacy, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure (PGLD).
• Health and Human Services - 600 workers laid off, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Education - 466 workers laid off, including nearly all of its staff at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS).
• Housing and Urban Development - 442 workers laid off, including those in the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), which oversees grants to support low-income communities, and housing and homelessness programs.
• Commerce - 315 workers laid off.
• Energy - 187 workers laid off, many in the Office of Minority Economic Impact.     
• Homeland Security - 176 workers laid off, including those at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
• EPA - including those at the Office of Land and Emergency Management.

Impacts:

• The White House says a prolonged shutdown will affect the economies of every state. White House estimates say this could cost Michigan $361 million per week in lost economic output, for example, while Florida could lose $911 million each week.
• Many states are doing what they can to continue operating programs serving some of the neediest people. But states say they can only front those costs for so long — and some are worried about getting repaid, as the federal government has done in previous shutdowns.
• USDA has instructed regional and state directors to delay sending next month's SNAP funds to vendors responsible for delivering benefits, because of the shutdown.

Take Action

The only way to end the government shutdown is for Congress and the White House to reach a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and allow nonprofits to continue their essential work. 

You can take action:begu

• Share Your Story  Use NCN's storytelling tool to share real examples of how the government shutdown is harming nonprofits and their communities. Sharing these stories is one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard.
• Contact Your Members of Congress. Use NCN's email template to send a message directly to your Senators and Representatives, urging them to work across the aisle to reopen the government.