Republicans and Democrats engage in war of words as White House also uses impasse to cut government spending

Democrats strike optimistic tone after high-stakes meeting but Republicans accuse rivals of ‘hostage-taking’

Senate Democrats voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government, putting it on a near certain path to a shutdown. Key US politics stories from 30 September 2025

U.S. government shutdown leads to uncertainty, furloughs, and potential firings as Trump and Congress fail to reach agreement.

“We don’t want it to shut down,” Trump said at the White House before the midnight deadline, but he was unable to strike a deal.

“Absolutely there are risks,” said Third Way's Jim Kessler. "The fight is the victory. They want a fight. And they're going to get one."

White House budget chief plans swift federal worker cuts as GOP pressures Democrats to end shutdown.

Plunged into a government shutdown, the U.S. is confronting a fresh cycle of uncertainty after Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and…

Efforts to end U.S. government shutdown collapsed as Democrats in Congress rejected proposals to resolve an acrimonious funding stand-off with President Donald Trump and the White…

As a bitter standoff between Republicans and Democrats plays out, there is little sign that either side is willing to budge.

The vice-president said the administration would be forced to resort to layoffs if the shutdown lasts more than a few days. Key US politics stories from Wednesday 1 October at a…

Republicans and Democrats fail to narrow differences on spending bill, as effects of shutdown start showing.

Previous government shutdowns have only resulted in temporary furloughs — not layoffs

Trump in a Truth Social post said he will meet with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to discuss cutting agencies.

President Donald Trump said he plans to meet with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought on Thursday to determine which "Democrat agencies" to cut as the…

The same Republicans accusing Democrats of holding the government "hostage" triggered a shutdown in 2013 over Obama’s health care law.

The US presidents meets with the White House budget director as the shutdown continues into a second day, amid impasse.

Republicans and Democrats engage in war of words as White House also uses impasse to cut government spending

“We’re going to look at agencies that don’t align with the administration’s values, that we feel are a waste of the taxpayer dollar,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

He said the shutdown could be an opportunity to "clear out dead wood", giving no hint of concessions to Democrats.

The government has already announced the cancellation of billions of dollars in federal funding for projects tied to Democrats. Key US politics stories from Thursday 2 October at…