Shutdown Looms as Negotiations Stall, Speaker Johnson cites No Current Basis for Talks
WASHINGTON – October 6, 2025 – A partial goverment shutdown appears increasingly likely as negotiations between the White House and House Republicans remain deadlocked, with speaker mike johnson stating there is “nothing for us to negotiate” until President Biden and Senate Democrats shift their positions on border security. The impasse threatens to disrupt federal services and impact millions of Americans, just as agencies prepare for potential closures beginning sunday.
The core dispute centers on funding levels and policy riders attached to appropriations bills. house Republicans are demanding notable cuts to discretionary spending and stringent border security measures, while the Biden governance insists on maintaining current funding levels and rejects what it calls “extreme” policy proposals. this standoff arrives as Congress faces a November 17 deadline to fund the government or risk a widespread shutdown. The potential consequences include delayed Social Security and Medicare payments, disruptions to air travel, and the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal employees.
During a public appearance Monday, former President Donald Trump offered a potential, though indirect, path toward compromise on healthcare funding.”Just hang in there, because I think a lot of good things coudl happen, and that could also pertain to health care,” Trump stated. He further indicated a willingness to negotiate with Democrats regarding Affordable Care Act subsidies, adding, “If we made the right deal, I’d make a deal. Sure.”
However, these remarks do not directly address the immediate funding crisis driving the shutdown threat. Speaker Johnson has maintained a firm stance, asserting that any negotiations require a fundamental change in approach from the White House and Senate. Kent Nishimura/Reuters captured an image of President Trump delivering these remarks at the White House on October 6, 2025.
The shutdown’s impact would be felt across numerous federal agencies,including the Department of Homeland Security,the Department of Justice,and the Department of Agriculture. National parks could close, and passport processing could be delayed. The economic ramifications of a prolonged shutdown are also a concern, perhaps slowing economic growth and increasing uncertainty in financial markets.
