Schumer’s Shutdown Begins as 45 Democrats Vote To Give Illegal Aliens Health Care [WATCH]

The federal government entered a partial shutdown on Wednesday after Congress failed to meet the midnight deadline to pass a funding bill, leaving thousands of workers facing furloughs or unpaid labor until an agreement is reached.

Democrats are shutting down the federal government because President Trump won’t force taxpayers to pay for free health care for illegal aliens.

Just think about that…

Democrat elected representatives are punishing their own constituents to fight for illegals.

Deranged. pic.twitter.com/tkp2evE7PA

— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) September 30, 2025

The standoff followed the collapse of a Republican-backed continuing resolution (CR) that sought to extend fiscal year 2025 funding levels until November 21.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The measure, which cleared the House on September 19 largely along party lines, was blocked in the Senate as Democrats objected to being excluded from negotiations and demanded extensions of enhanced Obamacare subsidies set to expire at the end of 2025.

Republican leaders said they were open to discussing healthcare funding later but accused Democrats of pushing the government toward a shutdown by tying demands to the short-term bill.

First shutdown in world history to demand free healthcare for illegal aliens. https://t.co/2b6jPFnEs9

— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) September 30, 2025

“There isn’t any substantive reason why there ought to be a government shutdown. This is something that has been done routinely, as I said, 13 different times when the Democrats had the majority. But we are not going to be held hostage for over $1 trillion in new spending on a continuing resolution,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said before the deadline.

With no deal in place, President Donald Trump and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) now control which federal services will continue during the shutdown.

OMB Director Russ Vought released guidance shortly after the Senate vote, instructing agencies to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown.”

The memo noted, “It is unclear how long Democrats will maintain their untenable posture, making the duration of the shutdown difficult to predict. Regardless, employees should report to work for their next regularly scheduled tour of duty to undertake orderly shutdown activities.”

pic.twitter.com/tVu5Yqrtel

— Office of Management and Budget (@WHOMB) September 30, 2025

The OMB previously warned agencies to prepare for potential layoffs beyond temporary furloughs. Trump, speaking earlier in the day, said Republicans had not sought a shutdown but signaled the administration would use its leverage.

“We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like,” Trump said.

President Trump on Democrats: “We can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things they that they like, cutting programs that they like.” pic.twitter.com/nI7lktc6vy

— CSPAN (@cspan) September 30, 2025

Democrats pushed back sharply. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters, “Well, there it is. Trump admitted himself that he is using Americans as political pawns. He is admitting that he is doing the firing of people. If God forbid it happens, he’s using Americans as pawns.” Schumer added that Democrats were prepared to negotiate: “As I said, Democrats did not want a shutdown. We stand ready to work with Republicans to find a bipartisan compromise, and the ball is in their court.”

The economic impact of the shutdown was outlined in a letter from Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Phillip Swagel to Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.

The letter stated, “In general, a longer lapse will have larger effects than a shorter one will.”

Based on prior shutdowns in 2018 and 2019, the CBO estimated that about 750,000 employees could be furloughed daily, with compensation costs totaling around $400 million per day.

The report also noted that under OMB’s direction, potential permanent job losses could reduce that figure.

Active-duty service members would go without pay, though lawmakers’ salaries would continue.

The shutdown will also affect access to parts of the Capitol. According to guidance obtained by Fox News Digital, the Capitol Visitor Center, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the Library of Congress will be closed to the public. Congressional trips abroad have also been canceled.

House Republicans have stayed away from Washington in recent days to pressure the Senate to adopt their CR, while House Democrats returned this week to emphasize a contrast with the GOP.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., urged Republicans during a private call Monday to remain unified, avoid fundraisers, and stay outside Washington until the House reconvenes next week.

The Senate is expected to continue voting on funding measures through the rest of the week and into the weekend in search of a deal. Until then, the shutdown will remain in effect, leaving the timeline for resolution uncertain.