US govt shutdown enters 6th day as Republicans, Democrats remain at impasse
Republican and Democratic lawmakers at an impasse on reopening the federal government provided few public signs Sunday, October 5, 2025, of meaningful negotiations taking place to end what is about to be a six-day shutdown, with President Donald Trump saying that layoffs are occurring.
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Asked when federal workers would be fired as he has threatened to do, Trump told reporters: “It’s taking place right now and it’s all because of the Democrats.”
“The Democrats are causing the loss of a lot of jobs,” Trump added, declining to answer a question about which agencies are subject to the cuts.
The possibility of layoffs would escalate an already tense situation in which Washington lawmakers have struggled to find common ground and build mutual trust. Leaders in both parties are betting that public sentiment has swung their way, putting pressure on the other side to cave.
Democrats are insisting on renewing subsidies to cover health insurance costs for millions of households, while Trump wants to preserve existing spending levels, as he believes that Democrats will have to cave because of the jobs and federal projects being put at risk.
The squabble comes at a moment of troubling economic uncertainty. While the US economy has continued to grow in 2025, hiring has slowed, and inflation remains elevated as Trump’s import taxes have created a series of disruptions for businesses and hurt confidence in his leadership. At the same time, there is a recognition that the nearly 300 shillings annual budget deficit is financially unsustainable.
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House Democratic leader Hakeen Jeffries, among those appearing on the news shows, said there have been no talks with Republican leaders since their White House meeting last week.
“And, unfortunately, since that point in time, Republicans, including Donald Trump, have gone radio silent,” Jeffries said. “And what we’ve seen is negotiation through deepfake videos, the House canceling votes, and of course, President Trump spending yesterday on the golf course. That’s not responsible behavior.”
The Trump administration sees the shutdown as an opening to wield greater power over the budget, with multiple officials saying they will save money as workers are furloughed by imposing permanent job cuts on thousands of government workers, a tactic that has never been used before.
Even though it would be Trump’s choice to cut jobs, he believes he can blame the Democrats because of the shutdown.
“It’s up to them,” Trump told reporters on Sunday morning before boarding the presidential helicopter to celebrate the Navy’s 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia.
The government failed to notch the necessary 60 votes to end a filibuster. Johnson said the House would close for legislative business next week, a strategy that could obligate the Senate to work with the government funding bill that was passed by House Republicans.
“Johnson’s not serious about this,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on CBS. “He sent all his congressmen home last week and home this week. How are you going to negotiate?”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Sunday, October 5, 2025, that the shutdown on discretionary spending, the furloughing of federal workers, and requirements that other federal employees work without pay will go on so long as Democrats vote no.
“They’ll get another chance on Monday to vote again,” Thune said on Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“And I’m hoping that some of them have a change of heart,” he said.
