ASSOCIATED PRESS • September 30, 2025
Senate Democrats have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government, putting it on a near-certain path to a shutdown after midnight Wednesday for the first time in nearly seven years. Threatening retribution to Democrats, Trump said Tuesday that a shutdown could include “cutting programs that they like.” The last shutdown was in Trump’s first term, from December 2018 to January 2019, when he demanded that Congress give him money for his U.S.-Mexico border wall. Trump retreated after 35 days — the longest shutdown ever — amid intensifying airport delays and missed paydays for federal workers. Democrats see a rare opportunity to use their leverage to achieve policy goals and as their base voters are spoiling for a fight with Trump. Sen. Angus King of Maine voted with Republicans to keep the government open.