Government Shutdown Live Updates: Trump Pressed by Schumer, Jeffries to End Standoff – Newsweek

By Amanda Castro and Hannah Parry

5 min ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 11:26 AM EST

Supreme Court justices from both ideological wings expressed skepticism Wednesday over the legality of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs, sharply questioning the administration’s use of emergency powers to impose duties on imports from dozens of countries.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer defended the tariffs—some reaching 50% on goods from India and Brazil—as regulatory tools, not revenue-generating taxes. But Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushed back, saying, “You say tariffs are not taxes, but that’s exactly what they are.”

Justice Neil Gorsuch warned that Trump’s unilateral use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) could create a “one-way ratchet” of executive power, making it nearly impossible for Congress to reclaim its authority over trade policy.

Lower courts have ruled that Trump overstepped his legal bounds under IEEPA, and the Supreme Court’s eventual decision could carry massive financial implications. The Treasury Department estimates the U.S. may need to refund up to $750 billion if the tariffs are struck down.

Trump, who did not attend the hearing, called the case “LIFE OR DEATH for our Country” in a Truth Social post, arguing the tariffs are essential for national and economic security. Critics say the costs fall on American importers and consumers, not foreign producers.

A ruling is expected later this term.

11 min ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 11:21 AM EST

The U.S. federal government shutdown, which began just after midnight on October 1, surpassed the previous record for the longest in the nation’s history on Wednesday. 

The second-longest shutdown lasted 35 days from 2018 to 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term. 

The shutdown has resulted in the interruption of SNAP benefits for millions of Americans and hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay. 

The shutdown began after Democrats and Republicans failed to reach an agreement on legislation to fund the government. Democrats are seeking an extension of health care tax credits that are set to expire and the restoration of cuts made to Medicaid in a previous spending bill, but Republicans have not agreed to the proposal. 

Read the full story by Jenna Sundel on Newsweek.

24 min ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 11:08 AM EST

Senate Majority Leader John Thune dismissed President Donald Trump’s renewed call to eliminate the legislative filibuster, telling reporters Wednesday morning that the effort lacks support.

“The votes aren’t there,” Thune said at the Capitol, signaling that Senate Republicans are not prepared to back the procedural overhaul.

37 min ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:55 AM EST

The Senate is not expected to take up the House-passed measure to reopen the federal government today, despite mounting pressure amid the record-breaking shutdown.

According to Majority Whip John Barrasso’s office, the chamber will convene at 10 a.m. ET and focus on nominations. A vote on a judicial nominee is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., followed by a procedural vote on an assistant secretary of state. If that nomination clears the hurdle, a final confirmation vote is slated for 2:15 p.m.

50 min ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:42 AM EST

During a breakfast meeting with Republican senators, President Donald Trump warned that Democratic control of government would lead to “a very bad situation.” He urged lawmakers to follow his legislative agenda, claiming that doing so would prevent Democrats from gaining power.

“If we do what I’m saying,” Trump said, “they’ll never attain power,” adding that his proposals would result in passing legislation “that is good for the country.”

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:29 AM EST

President Donald Trump began his day with an 8:30 a.m. ET breakfast alongside Republican senators at the White House, as the government shutdown entered its 36th day—now the longest in U.S. history.

Following the meeting, Trump is scheduled to travel to Miami to speak at the America Business Forum at 1 p.m. ET, where he is expected to address economic and policy issues. His return to Washington is slated for 5 p.m. ET.

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:16 AM EST

President Donald Trump renewed his call for Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster, pressing the issue directly during a White House breakfast meeting. “It’s time for Republicans to do what they have to do, and that’s terminate the filibuster,” Trump said, warning that failure to act would stall the GOP’s legislative agenda.

The president proposed beginning with a bill to reopen the government, followed by measures on voter ID and eliminating mail-in voting. “We should pass all the things we want to pass, make our elections secure and safe,” he said.

Trump argued that Democrats would swiftly end the filibuster if given the chance, and urged Republicans to act preemptively. While acknowledging resistance within the caucus, he called inaction a “tremendous mistake.”

He also advocated scrapping the Senate’s blue slip tradition, which allows home-state senators to block judicial nominees, framing it as another obstacle to conservative priorities.

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 10:03 AM EST

Senate Democrats met behind closed doors for nearly three hours Tuesday, emerging with a subtle but notable shift in tone amid the ongoing government shutdown. While lawmakers remained tight-lipped about the specifics of their all-caucus lunch, comments from leadership suggested a growing openness to bipartisan negotiations.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has long insisted Democrats would not support government funding without a GOP commitment to health care talks, offered a more flexible stance after the meeting. “We are exploring all the options,” he said, signaling a potential pivot as pressure mounts to end the record-breaking shutdown.

Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), involved in the discussions, confirmed that negotiations are “ongoing” and that a “variety” of solutions are on the table. The remarks reflect a broader sense on Capitol Hill that momentum may be building among rank-and-file members toward a bipartisan resolution.

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:50 AM EST

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:39 AM EST

Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries have sent a formal letter to President Donald Trump urging an immediate bipartisan meeting to resolve the ongoing government shutdown and address what they called the “Republican healthcare crisis.”

In the letter, the Senate and House Democratic leaders wrote, “Democrats stand ready to meet with you face to face, anytime and anyplace,” signaling a willingness to negotiate directly. The message concluded with a pointed nod to Trump’s own rhetorical style: “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

1 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:37 AM EST

The federal government shutdown has stretched into its 36th day, surpassing all previous records and marking the second time President Donald Trump has presided over a historic budget impasse. The previous record—35 days—occurred during Trump’s first term, when Democrats opposed funding for his proposed southern border wall.

That 2019 standoff ended with a compromise between the White House and congressional Republicans to reopen the government. This time, negotiations remain stalled, affecting millions of federal workers and straining critical services. The prolonged shutdown continues to raise concerns about economic fallout and political gridlock as lawmakers search for a path forward.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:24 AM EST

President Donald Trump voiced frustration Wednesday over the ongoing government shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, accusing Democrats of avoiding accountability and showing “zero interest” in reopening federal operations. Speaking to Senate Republicans after Democrats swept key elections, Trump rejected the notion that post-election momentum would lead to compromise.

“It is Democrat-created, but I don’t think they’re getting really the blame that they should,” Trump said, adding that he viewed Democratic leaders as “kamikaze pilots” willing to harm the country to win political points. He also called for ending the Senate filibuster to expedite the passage of a funding bill.

The president, who previously framed the shutdown as a strategic move, struck a more somber tone as he outlined its consequences: millions facing loss of SNAP benefits, unpaid federal workers, and mounting pressure on the air traffic control system. He acknowledged the economic toll, noting the shutdown is beginning to affect the stock market.

“We must get the government back open soon, and really immediately,” Trump said. “We have to get it open.”

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 09:11 AM EST

President Donald Trump addressed Republican senators on Wednesday morning following a string of Democratic victories in Tuesday’s elections, attributing the results in part to the ongoing government shutdown. Speaking at a breakfast meeting, Trump cited pollsters who reportedly found the shutdown to be a “big factor” working against Republican candidates.

The president acknowledged the impact of the shutdown on federal workers, noting that “countless public servants” remain unpaid and that air traffic controllers are facing mounting pressure. He warned that the prolonged closure is beginning to affect the stock market and urged lawmakers to prioritize reopening the government “soon and really immediately.”

Reflecting on the election outcome, Trump described the results as “interesting” and said the party had “learned a lot.” He emphasized that the contests took place in heavily Democratic areas and suggested that his absence from the ballot may have influenced the outcome. However, he expressed skepticism about that assessment.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 08:58 AM EST

The Trump administration announced plans to restart the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) using emergency funds from the Department of Agriculture. Still, recipients will receive only half of their usual benefits. The move comes as the government shutdown stretches into its 35th day, leaving millions without the aid they expected.

Court filings reveal that the contingency fund is nearly depleted, with no money left for new applicants, disaster relief, or emergency reserves. While partial payments may eventually reach recipients, officials warn of delays ranging from weeks to months.

President Trump added uncertainty by stating on Truth Social that benefits would resume only if Democrats reopened the government. Meanwhile, two federal judges have ordered the administration to release emergency SNAP funds, though compliance remains unclear.

Food banks nationwide are overwhelmed by surging demand, with long lines and limited supplies. Small grocers and farmers who rely on SNAP transactions are also bracing for economic fallout. Advocates warn the disruption could escalate into a public health emergency, especially for seniors and families with children.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 08:49 AM EST

As the government shutdown entered its 36th day, air travel disruptions intensified nationwide, affecting more than 3.2 million passengers with delays and cancellations. On Monday alone, nearly 2,900 flights were delayed due to a surge in air traffic controller absences, with the FAA reporting ground delays at airports in Dallas and Austin.

The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers to work without pay, straining operations at major airports. On Friday, 80% of controllers were absent in New York, contributing to over 6,200 delays—the worst single-day impact since the shutdown began.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that if safety deteriorates further, the administration could shut down U.S. airspace entirely. Airlines for America said staffing-related delays jumped from 5% pre-shutdown to 79% in early November, prompting carriers to lobby Congress for a stopgap funding bill.

Industry leaders, including United CEO Scott Kirby, expressed concern over declining bookings and the looming holiday travel season. The FAA remains short 3,500 controllers, many of whom were already working overtime before the shutdown began.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 08:43 AM EST

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history occurred from December 22, 2018, to January 25, 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term. The 35-day standoff stemmed from a dispute over $5.7 billion in proposed funding for a U.S.–Mexico border wall, which Democrats opposed in favor of alternative security measures.

The shutdown began after Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution that included funding for the wall. Following the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats gained control of the House and continued to block funding proposals. Despite televised appeals and negotiations, the impasse persisted.

The shutdown affected roughly 800,000 federal workers, disrupted airport operations, delayed tax refunds, and cost the government an estimated $5 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. It ended when both chambers of Congress approved a short-term funding bill, which Trump signed amid mounting safety concerns and flight delays caused by air traffic controller absences.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 08:39 AM EST

The Senate on Tuesday failed for the 14th time to pass a short-term funding bill to reopen the federal government, cementing the path toward the most extended shutdown in U.S. history. The impasse continues to affect millions of Americans, with no resolution in sight.

Despite recent signs of bipartisan movement, lawmakers have yet to reach a deal. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that the chamber may revise the current November 21 deadline set by the House, as negotiations remain stalled.

2 hours ago

Nov 05, 2025 at 08:34 AM EST

The ongoing government shutdown officially became the longest in U.S. history Tuesday night, surpassing the 35-day lapse that ended in January 2019. That previous record concluded when President Trump signed a short-term funding bill at 9:23 p.m. on January 25, 2019.

This current impasse began during daylight saving time and crossed the historical threshold at 8:23 p.m. Tuesday, accounting for the seasonal time change. Despite the milestone, no resolution has yet been reached to restore federal operations.

Modern shutdowns date back to 1980, when the attorney general issued legal guidance clarifying that agencies could not spend without congressional approval. Since then, the U.S. has experienced 15 shutdowns, including the present standoff.