Senate Votes on Stopgap Funding Bills as Government Shutdown Enters Day 3

Senate Votes on Stopgap Funding Bills as Government Shutdown Enters Day 3
Above: The U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, is experiencing its first government shutdown in nearly seven years as it enters its third day on Oct. 3, 2025. Image copyright: Graeme Sloan/Contributor/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Spin

Democratic narrative

Republicans control all branches of government yet refuse to take responsibility for their own shutdown, instead weaponizing federal agencies to spread partisan propaganda. The Trump administration is breaking federal law by forcing government websites to blame Democrats while suspending billions in infrastructure funding for cities. This blatant politicization of traditionally neutral agencies violates the Hatch Act and erodes public trust in government impartiality.

Republican narrative

Democrats are holding the government hostage with their radical demands, forcing 750,000 workers into furlough while blocking a clean funding bill. Senate Democrats refuse to pass basic government funding unless they get their massive $1.5 trillion wish list of unrelated policy demands. This partisan obstruction is inflicting massive pain on veterans, small businesses and working Americans who depend on federal services.

Cynical narrative

As Democrats and Republicans trade blame for the ongoing crisis, they ignore the hard truth: this dysfunction is the product of their shared failure, rooted in years of partisan posturing and political brinkmanship. Budgetary standoffs have become the norm, eroding vital institutions, shaking public confidence and putting petty politics above the needs of everyday Americans. This cycle of mismanagement must end — now.

Metaculus Prediction



Political split

LEFT

RIGHT

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© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.15.2

© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.

All rights reserved.

Version 6.15.2