Shutdown Drags On as Senators Leave Washington
03 October 2025

Shutdown Drags On as Senators Leave Washington

Balance of Power

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Senate Democrats on Friday rejected a Republican spending bill in a vote that will almost certainly push the US government shutdown into next week as the party stands firm in the face of President Donald Trump’s threats to fire thousands of federal workers and extract political revenge.  

With the two sides locked in a standoff that raises the prospects of lengthy furloughs and a prolonged disruption in government services, senators left Washington for the weekend. Across the Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson indicated that House lawmakers, who have been home in their districts, may not return as planned next week if the Senate remains deadlocked.

Bloomberg Washington Correspondents Joe Mathieu and Kailey Leinz deliver insight and analysis on the latest headlines from the White House and Capitol Hill, including conversations with influential lawmakers and key figures in politics and policy. On this edition, Joe speaks with:

    Bloomberg Washington Deputy Bureau Chief Laura Davison. Republican Senator Todd Young of Indiana. Bluestack Strategies Founder Maura Gillespie. Former Republican Congressman Patrick McHenry.

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