Government Shutdown Enters Sixth Week with No Resolution in Sight

Mon Nov 10 2025 21:53:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the government shutdown continues into its sixth week, tension escalates between Republicans and Democrats over critical issues including food aid and the filibuster. With the shutdown potentially becoming the longest in history, many Americans are left uncertain about their essential services.

The ongoing government shutdown has prompted a stalemate in negotiations between the GOP and Democrats, impacting millions of Americans who rely on food assistance. President Trump has urged Republicans to abandon Senate filibuster rules to ensure a resolution, while Democrats remain steadfast in their positions. With increasing pressure on both sides, the potential for compromise could determine the fate of government operations in the coming days.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The deadlock continues as Republicans and Democrats face off over the ongoing government shutdown, now marking its sixth week. Millions of Americans relying on food assistance are left in limbo as critical services hang in the balance amidst intense political maneuvering.

Trump's recent conversations with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson highlight his push to eliminate the Senate filibuster, a theme that has sparked strong opposition from Republican senators, who fear it would undermine the party's minority protections.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Democrats as “crazed people” unwilling to compromise. She emphasized that Trump is advocating for his party to adopt a more aggressive posture to resolve the government impasse.

Currently, Democrats have rejected numerous proposals to reopen the government, insisting instead on continued negotiations to secure extensions for health care subsidies set to expire at year-end. Republicans, in turn, refuse to negotiate until the government is operational again.

As this political clash unfolds, the shutdown risks breaking historical records if a resolution is not found soon. The previous longest shutdown lasted for 35 days back in 2018-2019 over border wall funding.

Leavitt stated that Trump's strategy may become a distraction for Senate Republicans who are confronting the immediate consequences of the shutdown, such as unpaid wages for air traffic controllers and the uncertainty surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Despite the deadlock, some Democrats have engaged in tentative discussions with moderate Republicans about potential compromises that might ease legislative gridlock, indicating a flicker of bipartisan dialogue amidst deepening divisions.

This week could prove decisive, especially with the open enrollment period for health care marketplaces commencing on November 1 and rising premium costs already affecting prospective enrollees. Failure to reach a consensus may exacerbate the existing crises faced by federal workers and needy families alike.

Senate Republicans are hopeful that a few Democrats may eventually join their cause during subsequent votes aimed at reopening the government. For now, all eyes are on the unfolding political drama and its impacts on the everyday American.