Shutdown Insanity
Segment #644
It is obscene that Congress still collects a pay check during this shutdown. hen this mess is cleared up that should be corrected for all staff and Congress members. The Dems have no leader, no platform, and no answer to Donald Trump. They see that there only play is to vote to shutdown the government unless concedes to 1.5 trillion is funding that was already defeated. Note the Republicans tried on October 23, 2025 to pass the Shutdown Fairness Act. The Dems blocked it.
Things went off the rails fast when Fox News host Lawrence Jones played a damning video clip that exposed a Democrat lawmaker’s blatant contradictions — live, on air. Caught off guard and visibly shaken, she lashed out in frustration as the footage dismantled her narrative in real time. The explosive moment instantly went viral, with viewers calling it a brutal reality check and a major win for Jones in the ongoing media battles of 2025.
Overview of the 2025 Government ShutdownThe U.S. federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, following the expiration of funding on September 30, 2025, due to a partisan deadlock in Congress over spending priorities, including health care extensions and budget cuts. As of October 25, 2025, the shutdown has lasted 25 days, making it one of the longest in history. During shutdowns, "non-essential" federal operations halt, while "essential" services continue. However, most affected workers—estimated at over 2 million federal employees and contractors—are not receiving paychecks until Congress passes funding and back pay is authorized under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act.Who Is Not Getting Paid?The following groups are primarily impacted, with approximately 1.4 million federal workers missing paychecks as of October 24, 2025. They include both furloughed (non-essential) employees, who are sent home without pay, and essential employees, who must continue working without immediate compensation. Back pay is expected once the shutdown ends, but delays cause financial hardship.
MSNBC Host HUMILIATES Hakeem Jeffries
3:35 - The Democrats are being unapologetically clear that they're willing to destroy the lives of hardworking Americans just to get what they want. In a video I did just the other day of AOC and Bernie Sanders at a town hall, they were addressed by multiple people who told them the government shutdown was ruining their lives. And both AOC and Bernie Sanders responded to their real human problems by saying, "We don't care at all. We want to win this battle against Donald Trump." But the folks over at CNBC who despise Hakee Jeff weren't willing to be so nice and call him out and destroy his claim that this is somehow a Republican shutdown.”
Furloughed Federal Employees
Non-essential civilian workers across agencies (e.g., EPA, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education) who are barred from working.
~700,000
Includes administrative, research, and support staff; agencies like NASA have furloughed over 15,000 employees.
Essential Federal Employees (Working Without Pay)
Civilian workers in critical roles (e.g., TSA officers, air traffic controllers, FDA inspectors, IRS auditors during tax season).
~700,000
Must report to work but receive no pay until retroactive funding; examples include ~47,000 Customs and Border Protection agents and food safety inspectors.
Active-Duty Military Personnel
All branches of the armed forces, including those on bases worldwide.
~1.1 million
Continued duties (e.g., defense operations) but no pay after October 15 reallocations; first potential full missed paycheck on October 31 without new funding.
National Guard and Reserve Personnel
Part-time service members on drill or active orders.
~750,000
Monthly training and annual duties continue unpaid; high risk if shutdown extends.
Federal Contractors
Private vendors providing services to agencies (e.g., IT support, maintenance).
Hundreds of thousands (exact figure varies)
No back pay guarantee; many small businesses face immediate cash flow issues.
Judiciary Support Staff
Court clerks, probation officers, and administrative personnel (judges and Supreme Court justices are paid).
Tens of thousands
Operations continue minimally, but staff face furloughs or delayed pay; courts have paused some deadlines.
Exceptions and Notes
Guaranteed Pay Groups: Active-duty FBI special agents (~13,200) and some other law enforcement have received pay through emergency reallocations by the Trump administration. Members of Congress and certain exempted roles (e.g., some postal workers) continue receiving pay.
Economic Impact: Credit unions are offering interest-free loans, and food banks report increased demand. If unresolved by December 1, up to 5.5 million military paychecks could be withheld.
Path Forward: Bipartisan bills to ensure pay (e.g., "Shutdown Fairness Act") failed in the Senate on October 23, 2025. Negotiations focus on a continuing resolution to reopen the government.
This situation echoes past shutdowns (e.g., 2018-2019), but 2025's includes unique political rhetoric and agency cuts predating the lapse. For real-time updates, monitor official sources like the Office of Personnel Management.