The United States federal government officially shut down at midnight on October 1st, 2025, after Senate Democrats voted against a House Republican bill to extend funding, according to multiple sources including @HouseAppropsGOP. The shutdown, driven by disputes over funding for immigrant healthcare, specialty electric car perks, and other Democratic priorities, began as lawmakers failed to pass continuing appropriations bills. During the reporting window from 3:06 AM to 3:35 AM UTC on October 1st, the shutdown was confirmed. Republicans, through accounts like @HouseAppropsGOP and @RepMMM, blamed Democrats for the lapse in federal operations, citing their demands for "healthcare for illegals," "DEI programs abroad," and "cuts to rural hospitals." Conversely, Representative Troy Carter stated on Twitter that the shutdown is "entirely of their making" as Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. In Portland, Oregon, the Department of Justice announced charges against Tomas Plancarte-Benson, 37, for allegedly assaulting a federal police officer outside an ICE facility. Protesters were also observed outside the facility carrying foreign flags. This development occurred amidst the broader shutdown context, with Senator Jon Husted stating that a government shutdown is "not fair to the American people, especially for those providing services for our country." Previous reports indicated that Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill to extend the funding deadline, with Senator Mark Kelly attributing the shutdown to President Trump and Republicans. Senator Bernie Sanders reaffirmed his stance, stating "Damn right" when asked if he would vote no on funding bills. Representative Gil Cisneros expressed his commitment to not supporting any bill that makes healthcare more expensive for Americans. Details of the Democratic counter-proposal, as outlined by @RepNancyMace, include restoring taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal aliens, funding liberal news programs, prioritizing electric vehicles, removing work requirements for able-bodied adults, resuming DEI projects in foreign countries, providing over $1 billion more for criminal defense, and repealing $50 billion in rural healthcare funding. Republicans also claim the proposal includes $1.5 trillion in new spending for just a month of extended funding. Earlier in the day, as of 3:05 AM UTC, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto had voted with Republicans on a clean continuing resolution (CR). Chairman Tom Cole of the House Appropriations Committee stated that the shutdown is a "conscious decision by the Democratic leadership to shut down the government for political objective." In unrelated news, former President Donald Trump posted congratulations on an engagement and shared a photo from a meeting with King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the Royal Family. Separately, Senator Richard Blumenthal shared concerns from military personnel regarding President Trump's alleged directive to use American cities as "training grounds" against citizens, a claim that former President Trump has previously addressed by stating civilian law enforcement should be supported with more resources, training, and numbers, not supplanted by military forces.
