Government Shutdown 2025: Day 22
The United States government has now entered its 22nd day of a partial shutdown, with no end in sight. Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over funding priorities, leaving millions of Americans facing disruptions in services, delayed paychecks, and mounting uncertainty.
Merkley Breaks Record in Marathon Senate Speech
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon delivered a historic 22-hour speech on the Senate floor—the longest ever by an Oregon senator. Merkley criticized what he described as the Trump administration’s “authoritarian tendencies” and emphasized that the nation’s founders never intended for a president to wield unchecked power.
“This shutdown is not merely about appropriations; it is about the principles of democracy itself,” Merkley said. “We cannot allow freedom to be crushed under partisan priorities.”
Merkley’s filibuster underscores the intensity of the standoff. Democrats demand Affordable Care Act subsidies and Medicaid restoration before reopening the government, while Republicans argue the government should reopen first.
Trump Prepares Asia Trip Amid Shutdown
President Donald Trump is scheduled for a multi-day trip to Asia, including meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the president’s departure, calling it “outrageous” while millions of Americans go without pay.
Trump has stated he will meet with Democratic leaders only after the government reopens.
Federal Employees and Public Services in Limbo
Over 1.8 million federal paychecks are at risk as workers prepare to miss their first full paychecks this week. Essential employees—military, law enforcement, air traffic control—continue to work, but nonessential staff face furloughs and financial strain.
The Agriculture Department warned that SNAP benefits for November may be insufficient, potentially affecting 42 million Americans. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard and volunteers to food banks to ensure residents continue receiving aid.
National Parks and public lands remain partially open with reduced staffing, but officials warn of environmental damage and litter accumulation if the shutdown continues.
Social Security payments continue uninterrupted, and the U.S. Postal Service remains operational as an independent entity funded through product sales.
Political Deadlock Continues
The Senate has now failed 12 times to pass a short-term funding bill intended to keep the government open through November 21. Some lawmakers have suggested a continuing resolution until December 2026, but critics say this would undermine congressional appropriations authority.
Democratic Senator John Fetterman called for reforming or bypassing the 60-vote filibuster to prevent future shutdowns, while Senate Majority Leader John Thune resisted such proposals. House Republicans face internal debate over whether to extend the funding deadline and by how much.
Key Dates to Watch
- October 24–30: Federal employees will begin missing full paychecks.
- November 1: Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act begins. Without an extension of subsidies, premiums may more than double.
- November 21: Deadline for the House-passed short-term funding bill, already failed multiple times in the Senate.
Human and Economic Impact
Approximately 750,000 federal employees have been furloughed, while essential personnel continue working. SNAP delays, reduced park access, and postponed federal projects illustrate the tangible consequences of legislative inaction.
The 22-day shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, surpassing the 1995–1996 closure during the Clinton administration. The longest shutdown lasted 35 days in 2018–2019.
Read More: Will the US Government Shutdown 2025 Affect Visa Services
Looking Ahead
The shutdown is more than a political standoff—it’s a test of leadership and governance. With Merkley’s marathon speech, Trump’s foreign trip, and millions of Americans awaiting relief, the pressure on lawmakers to compromise and reopen the government has never been higher.
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