September 28, 2025
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Senate Democrats Plan Vote That Could Trigger Shutdown

Senate Democrats, frustrated by stalled negotiations with the GOP and President Trump, have adopted a strategy to cast a vote that would allow the federal government to shut down when current funding expires at the end of September if Republicans do not grant immediate extensions of expiring health-care benefits and other concessions. The plan—backed by activist groups including MoveOn—would take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the funding deadline (Sept. 30, 2025) and comes as the White House has outlined contingency layoff and RIF plans and scheduled high-level meetings with congressional leaders to seek a resolution.

Politics Government

📰 Sources (1)

As Democrats prepare for a possible federal shutdown, their endgame is uncertain
ABC News September 28, 2025
New information:
  • Senate Democrats have 'settled on' voting to let appropriations lapse if healthcare concessions are not made.
  • MoveOn executive director Katie Bethell publicly urged Democratic leaders to take bold action in a letter cited by the article.
  • Funding deadline referenced is the end of September (the article is dated Sept. 27, 2025) with a shutdown potentially beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
  • White House contingency plans and OMB guidance on potential layoffs and RIFs were referenced as likely operational consequences.
  • A White House meeting with Schumer, Jeffries, Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson was reported as planned before the deadline.