Public sentiment is overwhelmingly negative regarding the government shutdown, with widespread frustration directed at political leaders for failing to prioritize American citizens' needs, particularly in terms of healthcare and job security. Many commenters express feelings of neglect, betrayal, and anger, blaming both political parties for their role in the impasse and the detrimental impact on federal workers and services.

US Government

Republican Party

Democratic Party

The government exists to help mitigate and protect against the long term risks not inherently easy to spot. Like clean water for example- sure, our waters are in good shape today, but give it 30 years of pollution and the rivers will literally be on fire again (Cuyahoga River).

Then there are examples like the military being the single largest benefits program in the country not named Social Security/Medicaid/Medicare. Not paying the troops is immediately bad because you're taking money directly away from lower income people, for the most part. Yes they're being paid this paycheck, but the next? Nobody knows!d

Renickulous13

Mountain-Bar-2878

Assuming because you personally haven’t been affected demonstrates a pretty limited understanding of the situation.

leeloolanding

Go to an airport. Stand in the security line or see when your flight is delayed due to a lack of air traffic controllers.

If you’ve not been impacted that’s fantastic. But I don’t think it’s a “I’ve not been impacted” versus a “I’ve not been impacted yet.”

Mr_Angry52

PackageAggravating12

really depends on your situation. for example.. if you don't have a special needs child, then the layoffs of the special needs people at doe won't have a big impact on you, but, over time, it will have a bigger and bigger impact on families with special needs children. also, it's only been a bit of time. we won't really know the full impact for quite a while, which is similar to what happens when layoffs happen in the private arena. everything is fine until suddenly people say "that company used to be good but now their products are horrible and the customer service is bad, what happened?" may happen, may not, too soon to tell!

swingorswole

MoistOrganization7

If you get laid off, is that a bad thing?

🤡

bengal95

Layoffs are never a good thing for the economy.

walkslikeaduck08

- **Air travel disruptions:**  
  Watch for increasing delays or strain on FAA operations and air-traffic control as more personnel are affected.

- **Senate votes and maneuvers:**  
  Keep an eye on whether the Senate can pass a continuing resolution or if alternative funding strategies start gaining traction.

- **Federal layoffs and furloughs:**  
  Expanded furloughs or potential layoffs could heighten pressure on lawmakers to end the shutdown.

- **Military pay deadlines:**  
  The upcoming military payday is a major pressure point — how it’s handled could shift negotiations.

- **Public and economic pain:**  
  As agencies halt operations and everyday Americans feel the impact, the growing fallout could drive a deal.

- **Moves by moderates or retirees:**  
  Lawmakers less tied to party extremes might break ranks, forming new paths toward compromise.

- **A pivot from President Trump:**  
  If Trump changes course or pressures his own party to strike a deal, that could alter the entire standoff.

r0ninar1es

* Angelic chorus of trumpets


Wait... that's the apocalypse. Sorry, easy to get the current state of government and the Biblical end of times mixed up these days!

WiseassWolfOfYoitsu

Republicans in Congress are willingly ceding their authority to legislate funds to the executive branch, and there are no consequences for breaking the law... how can there be off ramps?  

I assume the Treasury will collect taxes like normal and then the executive branch will legislate and disburse funds.  Law will be through executive orders. 

If the above plan fails, what's to prevent someone else from trying again?

The only true off ramp is California, people and companies within, need to declare they will not pay federal taxes for rampant lawlessness.  Let the world's 4th largest economy make the children play together.

ScrabbleJazz

Alarming_Run_8433

Anything illegal will just be blessed by the Supreme Court in an emergency ruling "it's cool, Trump did it. But it's definitely illegal if anyone else not pre cleared by the 1% does it".

dassketch

So, MTG is worried about her kids healthcare premium doubling. I'm not in the healthcare market place. My premiums are expected to go from $303 every two weeks to $476 every two weeks. No, coverage for surgery, accidents, or cancer, no out of pocket limits, virtually no Rx coverage. I wish I could get into the market place even without the subsidies.

Bubbly-Cod-3799

"A pivot from President Trump:
If Trump changes course or pressures his own party to strike a deal, that could alter the entire standoff."

Uh, yeah. When pigs fly and unicorns begin farting rainbows. 

FrankG1971

The sign to end the shutdown would be Congress’s genuine intent to negotiate an extension of the ACA tax credits.  Not rocket science to do so. 78% of Americans, including 57% of MAGA support an extension of the tax credits. Time for Republicans in Congress to listen to their constituents and NOT their President.

Easy_Highway3617

This “article” is like one of those recipe pages where they don’t have a link to the actual recipe.

OldSkooler1212

Winter-Watercress413

Murky-Echidna-3519

Hey r/fednews, Nikol from USA TODAY here. There are many questions about how to get out of the ongoing, seemingly intractable government shutdown. But there's no clear answer.

As the crisis stretches into its third week, no plausible off-ramps have come into view (yet). At some point, a number of variables in the shutdown equation could start to change those dynamics. Here are seven key things to watch for signs of whether the shutdown ends soon, or, as House Speaker Mike Johnson has warned, becomes "one of the longest in American history:"

\- Obamacare negotiations: so far, it's not clear how those talks have progressed

\- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: if Republicans want a handful of Senate Democrats to overcome the 60-vote threshold and reopen the government, they most likely need Schumer to do it

\- Moderate and retiring Senate Democrats: though Schumer has largely kept his caucus together during the shutdown, there are some wild cards who have less of a reason to do what he says

\- The Trump factor: it's always possible the two-term president could suddenly decide to pressure other GOP lawmakers to compromise and end the shutdown more quickly

\- Federal layoffs: top Democrats don't seem daunted by the firings for now, calling them illegal and suggesting they'll ultimately be rescinded, but that could change as Americans start to feel the effects of reduced government programs

\- Military paychecks: as a deadline for military troop pay approached on Oct. 15, the president announced he would divert other Pentagon funds to ensure service members got their checks – but there are legal questions

\- Overall pain of the shutdown: as more funding deadlines approach, the strain on Americans will likely become less bearable

Read more: [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/15/government-shutdown-end-what-to-watch/86628962007/](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/10/15/government-shutdown-end-what-to-watch/86628962007/)

usatoday

It will last until we make it end because they will never freely let the epstein files go public. They'd rather kill us all

N_O_D_R_E_A_M

Trump shut down the government last time, and we voted him in  again. You get what you voted for people. Get out and vote next year.

Braehole

me_xman

No they’re the opposite, conservative against progressive. You just have to decide which side you’re on and vote.

https://citizenwatchreport.com/breaking-4000-federal-workers-were-just-laid-off/

alexmark002

If the government is shut down, hence no services, federal payroll taxes should be stopped until they re-open.

RAMacDonald901

Federal workers laid off because our government can't pay it's bills, but then Trump gives $20 Billion to Argentina.

Kezmo00

Low-Temperature6135

Financial-Heat-9194

xDiRtYgErMaNx

So is it still worth it to steal us citizen funds and Healthcare resources to give to illegal migrants?

2loki4u

Nolachild49

This is great. As Biden says "learn to code!"

John_Doe_May

Based off of previous shutdown, anywhere from 3 weeks to 4 weeks :(

MissMerida2121

Longest was 34 days. I'd say could be three weeks

ApprehensiveArmy7755

Air traffic controllers. They are required to come in to work even though they aren't getting paid. They will be back-paid (historically, but who knows with this administration). They're already over worked. They'll start calling in sick. If they are or are not doesn't matter. This will cause delays. Delays cascade and compound. Pretty quick every flight is delayed and people start asking why. This is what happened last major shutdown with Trump as President. 


There are two major factors here that will make this worse though: Trump has been gutting the FAA, and air traffic controllers are ALREADY on a major strain. And the entire economy is under unusual strain. So we could just see a fucking major air accident before we see this breaking point.

GreenFox1505

It will last up until the 15th of October or maybe a few days later. Military personnel families will need their paycheck on the 15th.

siruberjames

I think they're going to try to make it last as long as possible and use it as a pathetic bargaining chip to destroy as much as they can in the process. They're ripping the government apart from the inside out.

aasteveo

A month or more. A month is a long time when you're a government employee who's affected by a lot of this political BS.

Wantons124

My rough estimate is that it will end on October 28th or 29th. This is based on the estimated pay cycle of TSA and FAA essential employees.

Les_Turbangs

There's really no telling these days.

On one hand, the last one ended because TSA got the '[Blue Flu](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/05/opinions/tsa-blue-flu-economic-injustice-granderson)' aka they called out sick, en masse, and caused so many headaches for politicians suddenly they saw eye-to-eye. I've seen a separate post that by Monday, they may start doing similar again. 

OTOH, Trump v2 has said they are wanting to fire people. And during COVID, air traffic went to ATC zero in quite a few places, so the administration may say screw it, if you don't go to work you're fired, even if you're sick. And not enough people to keep certain towers open? Screw it, ATC zero it and let the airlines work it out. 

There's no real telling what they are going to do. I suspect it'll be over soon(ish), quite likely before 2026, but... who knows.

L0LTHED0G

Before the 15th and nothing will happen. It never does. It's always just for show.

Original_Load_1187

1Litwiller

Nothing will happen in the end. They will pass a CR and then do the whole thing again in a year.

dennismullen12

Until the stock market goes down. It's a win win for the rich, politicians especially gop. Stocks are up they're getting money, federal workers checks are backpaid, you don't get paid you get mad and humans are easily manipulated so it's their chance to gain voters or protest the opposing party

[deleted]

4 weeks with the dems cracking first. There is will no healthcare concessions. There will be some sort of compromise. The other less likely but possible option is Trump will taco and give in to heath care demands. But nothing will happen in the short term

magnumopus44

Why are these questions always posted by accounts that are around a month old? Definitely feels like some organization gathering info.

Izenthyr

As others have said, it'll last probably 3-4 weeks. It will end in some sort of deal where Democrats will be able to say they "saved" healthcare but it won't actually be anything meaningful, and then Trump will try to take credit for it. His supporters will believe him, everyone else won't. Effectively we'll be right back where we started.

uggghhhggghhh

Personally, I'm hoping it lasts until Republicans finally realize they can't just brow beat the Democrats into everything they want, and they come to the table to negotiate. I don't care if it takes months or years. Fuck those fuckers on the right. They don't get to act like Eric Cartman, taking their toys and going home, when things don't go 100% their way. Stupid, childish motherfuckers.

MyFurryIsStinky

I think Republicans will watch the country burn to the ground before they give an inch.

Electric-Sheepskin

Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein Epstein 
Release the unredacted Epstein Files now!!!

After_Fix1358

As long as they can. They been saying since the civil war ended that the federal government is broken and now they’re out to prove it.

Harbinger2001

Open enrollment for government sponsored health plans start on November 1st. So since the premiums will have to be set by then I think it will last until the first week of November.

98941

I think flight delays will start after 2-3 weeks.  As we get closer to Thanksgiving, there will be more pressure. So probably 2-3 weeks on short end, no longer than 6 weeks.  

I’m probably of the minority opinion, but I don’t think the dems have much reason to cave.  Polling seems to be in their favor and it’ll be a huge win if they can get the healthcare concessions.

blevster

Maybe it will be, in a way, permanent. The White House sets its own budget, calls its own shots. This is only slightly removed from the rubber stamps of Congress and the Supreme Court.

Koorsboom

I kind of feel like this one is going to take the cake...federal government as we know it is not going to come back as long as those epstein files hang in the balance

smitteh

Until air traffic controllers start calling out sick due to high stress with no pay and Americans start calling their Senators about flight delays and cancellations.

Amenian

1-2 missed paychecks by air traffic controllers til they start calling in sick then it will end lickety split.

digitalgirlie

nathingz

I’m guessing Oct 16. I cannot explain why. Outcome will be the Dems mostly fold.

thebabes2

2 to 3 months. The outcome will be as always, **They** get richer **We** get poorer

YourMeteorologist333

Honestly? I feel like it could be 3 months.

Automatic-Cod-3436

The longest was 34 days during trumps first term (Dec 18 through Jan 19). I have a sneaking suspicion this will be a lot longer. Because when it does officially reopen, jobs, unemployment, and CPI inflation data gets calculated and released. 

When that happens, it will not be pretty. Enjoy and take advantage of your 401k’s now. Because they’re taking a huge hit when Uncle Sam is back online. And if you haven’t already, you might want to start buying some precious metals.

2dazeTaco

hagschlag

Hopefully as long as it needs to to get the ACA credits put back in.  Fuck paying 1000 dollars a month for insurance.

LordTalesin

I am afraid that the Republicans don't want to reopen the government

IGotSkills

Probably like 3 weeks. No meaningful outcome.

OJSimpsons

Longest previous shutdown was 35 days I think. I'd be surprised if this one lasts as long. Most likely outcome is enough Democrats cross the floor to end it, probably within the next week or so, strengthening the GOP position even further and leading to much worse

As1m0v13

A few more weeks. The outcome will be the epstein files will have disappeared from secure archives to be replaced with a crayon scrawl of a black man with the words "OBOMA DIDIT!".

Plaid_Piper

Realistically 3-6 weeks though with how disfunctional our government has become I could potentially see this one going for more like 3-6 months.

TheRealAMD

I'd guess the Trump family nets around 500M each

Road_Kill8675

It will last until it negatively impacts one party's popularity enough. This won't happen until the effects hurt some aspect of the economy enough. Maybe it's air traffic controllers striking due to no pay, or essential services not mailing out checks. 

Until then it's just a game of who can blame the other side more.

WorkLemming

It will be over quickly. Republicans will nuke the filibuster and pass their budget.

hobard

Unfortunately Russ Vought does not care about the law. He knew it was illegal when he did it and proceeded anyway. Why? Because there are only upsides when your intent is inflict trauma. He proceeds with the RIFs, puts employees he doesn’t like through very stressful times, and then gets told he couldn’t do that by the court. So what? He’s already achieved his desired result. Many of those employees will start looking for the exit knowing this evil weirdo is waiting for his opportunity to do it again. The trauma is the point.

Spare-Map7132

Good. Love the judge being more or less like "I'm inclined to assume you're lying given you're notorious fucking liars". Common sense. LMAO and Vought insisting law doesn't apply to him to a podcast like that's gonna be his Exhibit A? This administration is full of hallucinating loons. You'd think they'd be more focused on explaining grocery prices to their voters.

RemoteLast7128

steveofthejungle

The plan passed by the House funds the government through 11/4. Democrats have the chance to do the funniest thing ever - vote for it at the last minute, give us all backpay, then shut it down again immediately.

OverlyOptimisticNerd

Final-Lavishness-381

FAA office just recalled the entire office except those on probation, still at home non excepted employees. Interesting. I think their plan is/was/may be to term the remainder of probationary employees. It takes a year or more to train a new inspector, good luck with that when you need them in the future in an already strapped agency.

iReaditGuy

They’ll just reissue the RIFs with 30 day notices when the government reopens 

RandomDerpBot

It just feels like Vought is more prepared for contingencies and legal challenges than Musk was earlier this year

tombrady011235

It's all fun and games to these people until the FO of the FA comes to fruition.

VintageEarflapPouch7

Traditional_Suit_925

Fuzzy_Translator4639

Paparazzi18

Hasn’t the Supreme Court decided that unions don’t have standing to bring these claims?

No-Day7628

Will they have to rehire those already let go during the shut downs?

WallaceHalframIII

Just let them issues the notices. We are exhausted of being in limbo!! We need to move on with our lives and work projects. I can’t have staff living in fear of being fired or relocated everyday. Do it or don’t do it already.

ForeverCoeus

I don’t see how she has the actual authority.   The scotus? Maybe but a district judge? No.

MikesHairyMug99

But they’ll RIFpeopke regardless. We all know that.  So we need to remind everyone that the administration ordered all agencies to develop RIF plans back in January??? Let’s just be honest and stop this hyperbole.

Disastrous-Cow-1442

elvidoperez

I'm sure the MAGA Six on the SCOTUS will promptly overrule this just as soon as they're done eviscerating the Voting Rights Act...

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AutoModerator

SCOTUS will just overturn it. They are getting ready to gut the CRA and it's over people. The GOP will cement its power and we are all fucked.

Gullible-Bee-3658

The U.S. government shutdown has entered its third week, affecting public services and federal workers.

US Government Shutdown and Federal Layoffs

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