U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue scheduled passport and visa services during the ongoing government shutdown, as circumstances permit, according to statements from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad posted between 7:05 AM and 7:15 AM UTC on October 1st, 2025. The embassy accounts stated they will not provide further updates until full operations resume, except for urgent safety and security information, directing the public to travel.state.gov for service and operating status. The continuation of these essential services comes as the federal government faces a lapse in appropriations, with no immediate resolution to the funding disputes in Congress. Previous reports indicated that the shutdown began at midnight on October 1st, 2025, due to disagreements over spending priorities, including funding for immigrant healthcare and other Democratic proposals. While passport and visa operations are expected to continue abroad, federal agencies within the United States are operating under a lapse in appropriations. Law enforcement officers and approximately 50,000 military members were previously reported to be working without pay. Representative Eric Burlison released a new single titled "THE SCHUMER SHUTDOWN" on social media during this period. The shutdown stems from Senate Democrats blocking a House Republican bill to extend funding. Key points of contention include Democratic proposals for restoring taxpayer-funded healthcare for undocumented immigrants and funding for certain news programs. Republicans have blamed Democrats for the shutdown, while Democrats point to the Republican-controlled Congress and White House. In unrelated news from previous reporting, the Los Angeles Angels announced that Manager Ron Washington will not return for the 2025 season. Former President Donald Trump also made social media posts during this period, including a response to a user about being a "fat loser."
