The Government Shutdown Saga Drags Into a Third Week: A Nation on Hold
Imagine the frustration of millions of Americans watching as essential services grind to a halt, paychecks vanish, and political leaders trade barbs instead of solutions. That's the stark reality of the current government shutdown, now stretching into its 13th day, with no end in sight. As Democrats and Republicans dig in their heels, the standoff threatens everything from military salaries to museum doors slamming shut. But here's where it gets controversial – accusations of "hostage-taking" are flying, and the blame game is heating up. Stick around to see how this unfolds, and why many believe this could be one of the most protracted shutdowns in U.S. history.
Live updates as of October 13, 2025, at 11:07 AM EDT, courtesy of CBS News.
Key Developments on Day 13: The Impasse Shows No Signs of Relenting
The deadlock over funding the government is set to spill into a third week, with both sides pointing fingers for the shutdown that kicked off on October 1. Democrats and Republicans are locked in a blame spiral, and Vice President JD Vance has sharply criticized the Democrats' stance, labeling it as "hostage-taking." This isn't just political theater; it's affecting real lives, from federal workers to everyday Americans relying on government services.
Come Tuesday, the Senate will reconvene and cast another vote on a funding bill that the House already approved. This measure has failed to secure the 60 votes needed in the Senate seven times already, as Republicans scramble to persuade more Democrats to support it. The Democrats, however, are holding firm: they won't back reopening the government without an extension of health insurance tax credits. For beginners trying to grasp this, think of it like a budget standoff where one side wants to keep certain tax breaks alive to help people afford healthcare, while the other insists on a clean slate without those extras. It's a classic tug-of-war in Congress, where 60 votes out of 100 are required to move forward in the Senate – a hurdle designed to encourage compromise, but often leading to gridlock.
Layoffs and Paychecks in Jeopardy – But Not for Everyone
The Trump administration revealed on Friday that the layoffs they had warned about are now happening. In a court document, they noted that seven agencies have started sending out reduction-in-force notices – that's RIFs for short, a formal way of notifying employees that their jobs might be cut due to funding shortfalls – to over 4,000 workers. However, there was a mix-up: some notices went out to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) staff by mistake and have since been canceled. This highlights the chaos of a shutdown; for those unfamiliar, RIFs are intended to reduce government headcount when money runs dry, but errors like this can cause unnecessary panic. And this is the part most people miss – while some agencies are forced to scale back, others find creative ways to keep operations afloat.
President Trump took action over the weekend, posting on Truth Social that he's instructing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to "use all available funds to get our Troops PAID." Military personnel are scheduled to receive their paychecks on October 15, and thanks to about $8 billion in leftover funds from the previous fiscal year, that's still on track. "I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown," Trump declared. This move sidesteps the broader freeze on federal pay, meaning troops get their due, but other government employees will have to wait until the shutdown wraps up. For context, this deadline was seen as a potential turning point – a moment that might push negotiators to compromise. Some lawmakers had advocated for separate legislation to fund military pay, similar to past shutdowns, but Republican leaders didn't back it. When asked about it on Air Force One, Trump reassured everyone: "We're taking care of it. We've got the military paid in full, and we're doing a lot of things." He even hinted at cutting programs he views as unnecessary, possibly those backed by Democrats, calling it a "big mistake" on their part. And here's where it gets controversial – is this selective funding a smart use of resources, or an unfair advantage for the military over other workers? Opinions are divided, and it raises questions about fairness in a crisis.
Adding to the closures, Smithsonian museums, research centers, and even the National Zoo shut their doors on Sunday. They had been open using previous year's funding until October 11, but now the shutdown has forced these cultural gems to close. It's a tangible reminder of how the stalemate ripples out, affecting education, science, and public enjoyment.
House Speaker Johnson Calls Out Democrats in Fiery Remarks
House Speaker Mike Johnson didn't hold back on Monday, accusing Democrats of indulging in "costly political games" that are prolonging the shutdown. Speaking at a press conference, he referred to it as the "Democrats' Schumer shutdown," naming Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. "This marks the third week that Democrats have blocked paychecks to our troops, they've blocked pay for 2.2 million federal workers and they've held critical services that the American people rely upon in limbo," Johnson stated. He gave credit to President Trump for stepping in to ensure military pay on October 15, despite attempts to block it. Johnson mentioned lengthy talks with Trump before the president headed to the Middle East, expressing shared frustration over Democrats' willingness to "do all this damage" for political points.
"The shutdown did not have to happen," Johnson insisted, criticizing Democrats for lacking leadership, vision, and direction. He emphasized that the House has fulfilled its role by approving funding through November 21, and urged five more Senate Democrats to support the bill to hit the 60-vote mark. "We're barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history, unless Democrats drop their partisan demands and pass a clean, no-strings-attached budget to reopen the government and pay our federal workers," he warned. With House votes canceled again this week, Johnson said they'll resume only when Democrats "come to their senses." "We're on Day 13," he noted. "This should end tomorrow." It's a passionate plea, but one that underscores the partisan divide – are these games, or principled stands?
Military Pay Secured, Trump Affirms
Echoing his social media post, President Trump confirmed he's directing Hegseth to draw from available funds for troops' October 15 paychecks. A Pentagon source confirmed the $8 billion in prior-year money is earmarked for this. The military pay deadline had been a focal point, potentially pressuring both parties to negotiate. Standalone funding bills for the military, common in past shutdowns, were proposed but lacked GOP support. Meanwhile, non-military federal workers remain unpaid until resolution.
By Kaia Hubbard and Zachary Hudak, updated at 8:24 AM.
Smithsonian Hubs Shut Down Amid Funding Freeze
As mentioned, the Smithsonian's museums, research facilities, and the National Zoo closed on Sunday after exhausting prior-year funds that kept them running until October 11.
Vice President Vance Levels Accusations of Hostage-Taking
Vice President JD Vance, appearing on "Face the Nation," blasted Democrats for "hostage-taking" over the shutdown, as party leaders push for talks with Republicans and the White House. "We don't negotiate with a person who has taken the entire federal government hostage over a health care policy dispute," Vance said. For more on this, check out the full story here.
Senate Poised for Another Vote on Tuesday
After the federal holiday on Monday, the Senate returns Tuesday afternoon for another vote on the House's funding bill. Republicans have been courting more Democratic votes after seven failures, but Democrats remain steadfast on extending health insurance tax credits. Three senators have crossed party lines to support the bill, but the party is aiming for five more to pass. Senator Rand Paul, a Republican, consistently opposes it. The House stays in recess, with no session since September 19 after passing the November 21 extension. Republicans argue the House has done its part, pressuring the Senate. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has recalled Democrats for a Tuesday caucus to strategize. Jeffries and Schumer advocate negotiations, while Republicans say there's nothing left to discuss since the bill is ready.
In: Government Shutdown.
What do you think about this ongoing drama? Is the shutdown a necessary stand for key policies like health insurance tax credits, or is it an unnecessary hostage situation as some claim? Do you agree with prioritizing military pay, or should all federal workers be treated equally? Share your opinions in the comments – let's discuss!
