Government shutdown stretches into second week as Senate rejects funding bills again

President Trump said he believes progress is being made on resolving the shutdown, as congressional Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on a deal to fund the government.

"I guess we're making progress," Mr. Trump told Newsmax host Greg Kelly on Monday night, before saying "they should have never shut it down," referring to Democrats.

Congressional Democrats have pushed for extensions of health insurance tax credits as part of any deal to reopen the government, but Republicans have said health care should only be discussed after the shutdown ends. Mr. Trump said earlier Monday he's open to negotiating with Democrats on tax credits, but later said Democrats need to vote to end the shutdown first.

Hollywood Burbank Airport in Southern California will operate without air traffic controllers for almost six hours Monday night, a situation California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed on the government shutdown.

In an advisory, Federal Aviation Administration officials said the airport was anticipating no air traffic controllers from 4:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. PT, reports CBS Los Angeles.

CBS Los Angeles learned that plane captains taking off from the airport were being asked to contact SoCal Approach, also known as Southern California TRACON, so they could communicate and get departure clearance.

The FAA issued a ground delay from 4 p.m. to 9:59 p.m., estimating that the average delay would be approximately 151 minutes, or nearly two and a half hours.

During government shutdowns, essential federal workers like air traffic controllers are expected to continue to report to work without pay. In prior shutdowns, however, the FAA and Transportation Security Administration have faced large numbers of sick calls, leading to staffing shortages. 

On Monday morning, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the union representing the country's air traffic controllers, instructed its members to continue working during the shutdown.

In a post on X, Newsom blasted President Trump, writing: "Burbank Airport has ZERO air traffic controllers from 4:15pm to 10pm today because of YOUR government shutdown."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy responded by blaming Democrats for the shutdown, writing on X: "If you're looking for someone to blame, look in the mirror - we all know it's your favorite thing to do."

President Trump said he's open to negotiating with Democrats on health care, but only after they vote to reopen the government — clarifying his stance after saying earlier Monday that he's open to a deal with Democrats on health insurance tax credits.

"I am happy to work with the Democrats on their Failed Healthcare Policies, or anything else, but first they must allow our Government to re-open," the president wrote in a Truth Social post. "In fact, they should open our Government tonight!"

Hours earlier, Mr. Trump told reporters: "We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things" on health care.

Democrats have sought an extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits in exchange for reopening the government. But congressional Republicans have said they aren't willing to discuss health care until after the government reopens, so Mr. Trump's initial comments Monday came as a surprise to some Democrats. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the upper chamber, said the president's comment "isn't true" and said negotiations with the White House are not taking place.

The Senate adjourned shortly before 7:30 p.m. Monday. It will reconvene on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

In a 52 to 42 vote, Republicans' short-term bill to fund the government until Nov. 21 fell short of the 60-vote threshold needed to advance the measure. 

Democratic Sens. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania and Cathrine Cortez Masto of Nevada voted in favor, as did independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, who caucuses with Democrats. The same three Democrats voted in favor of the bill last week.

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the sole Republican to oppose it. 

With both sides refusing to budge on their demands, the shutdown appears likely to continue through this week. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said earlier Monday they will keep voting on the same competing bills over and over. 

The proposal offered by Democrats to end the government shutdown failed again in a party-line vote with 45 in favor and 50 against. 

It was the fifth vote on the measure since Sept. 19. All have fallen short of the 60-vote threshold. 

The bill would fund the government until Oct. 31 and make permanent the tax credits that help people cover premiums for the health insurance they buy through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. The subsidies expire at the end of the year. 

The Senate is holding a procedural vote on a GOP-backed funding bill next. 

The Senate is beginning two procedural votes to advance competing short-term funding measures. A vote on Democrats' proposal is first, followed by a vote on the Republican plan. 

The previous four votes on both measures have failed.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer denied that the White House is in discussions with Democrats on health care amid the shutdown stalemate. Earlier Monday afternoon, President Trump said "we are speaking with the Democrats" and "we have a negotiation going on right now" on health care. 

Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a statement the president's claim "isn't true." 

"But if he's finally ready to work with Democrats, we'll be at the table," Schumer said. "If President Trump and Republicans are finally ready to sit down and get something done in healthcare for American families, Democrats will be there — ready to make it happen."

In response, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "As President Trump has repeatedly stated, he will negotiate on the important issues facing our country when Democrats vote to reopen the government."

President Trump said there are negotiations happening with Democrats on health care and he's open to a deal on Affordable Care Act tax credits — though White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Monday she wasn't aware of any conversations between the president and Democrats.

"We have a negotiation going on right now with the Democrats that could lead to very good things, and I'm talking about good things with regard to health care," Mr. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Mr. Trump added, "if we made the right deal, I'd make a deal" on extending the health care subsidies. 

"I'd like to see a deal made for great health care," he said. 

Republican congressional leaders have said they will not negotiate on health care until after the government shutdown ends.

In an Oval Office appearance, the president was asked if a failed vote in the Senate tonight would trigger layoffs of federal workers.

"It could, at some point, it will," the president responded. "And the Democrats are the ones that started this."

The president suggested he still wants to make health care affordable for Americans. 

"I'm a Republican, but I want to see health care, much more so than the Democrats," he said. 

A reporter asked the president about the American people who are "experiencing a lot of pain," and what his message is to them. 

"Up until now, there hasn't been a great deal of pain," the president responded. "There could be a great deal of pain, but up until now, there hasn't been. I will say this, just hang in there, because I think a lot of good things are going to happen. That's all I can say." 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked why Democrats should believe Republicans when they say they will negotiate on the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits once the government reopens. 

"If you're not ready to solve it now, how do we know you're going to solve it 45 days from now?" Schumer said. 

Republicans' proposal would fund the government until Nov. 21. Democrats argue that pushes negotiations too close to the end of the year, when the enhanced tax credits for people who purchase health insurance through Affordable Care Act marketplaces expire. The subsidies were originally passed in 2021 during the pandemic and extended in 2022 for another three years.

There's urgency in extending the tax credits now, Democrats say, because open enrollment begins Nov. 1 and Americans face skyrocketing prices without the subsidies. 

Democrats' plan would make the tax credits permanent.  

"Insurers are waiting around to set rates for next year. They're doing it right now, not three months from now," Schumer, a New York Democrat, said. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune was asked by reporters what the appetite is in the Republican conference for Affordable Care Act tax credits. Enhanced subsidies for the health insurance plans expire at the end of the year.

"It's a mixed bag," the South Dakota Republican said. "There may be a path forward. I think a lot of it would come down to … where the White House lands on that, but certainly not without reforms." 

"There are people out there with actually some pretty good ideas, but unfortunately [they're] not getting a chance to get heard while we're stuck," he added. 

Republicans have said they will not negotiate on the tax credits until the government is reopened. 

Thune said the Senate will keep voting on the same competing bills over and over.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said he hopes a few more Democrats change their minds to vote in favor of the House-passed Republican bill "for the sake of the American people." 

Thune noted that a federal program that provides food assistance for low-income women and children is running low on funds, saying that Democrats "own any lapse in funding for critical food aid programs." 

"I'm wondering just what exactly Democrats think they're gaining from all of this," he said. 

The Senate came to order shortly after 3 p.m. with a prayer by the Senate chaplain and the pledge of allegiance. 

The chamber is set to take up procedural measures on the competing plans to reopen the government at 5:30 p.m.

The president spoke with House Speaker Mike Johnson on the phone Monday, and he's in touch with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Leavitt said. But she wasn't aware of any calls the president has had lately with Democrats to urge them to reopen the government. 

"I was just in the Oval Office. He was on the phone with Speaker Johnson. He's also spoken with the Senate majority leader, who are in touch with, of course, moderate Democrats and Democrats across the board, who we understand hopefully want to do the right thing by their constituents to reopen the government," she said during Monday's press briefing. "So the president is being kept very well apprised of the ongoing shutdown on Capitol Hill. And of course, his position is very clear — there is nothing to negotiate, just reopen the government, and then we can talk about all the important issues facing our country." 

Leavitt was asked again if the president has called individual Democrats on Capitol Hill. 

"Not to my knowledge," she said. 

At the White House briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said members of the military and federal workers are at risk of missing their next full paycheck if the Senate doesn't approve legislation to reopen the government Monday evening. Federal funding for nutrition assistance for low-income women and their babies will also run out of money "very soon," Leavitt said.

"If the Democrats do not vote to open the government tonight, federal workers will not receive their next full paycheck," she told reporters. "Additionally, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children will run out of federal money very soon. This program provides vouchers to provide infant formula, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other healthy foods for low-income families." 

"Also, our incredible military service members, who risk their lives to preserve and defend our country, are now working without pay, and will miss their next paychecks if this Democrat shutdown does not end tonight," she said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that there's been an increase in air traffic controllers calling out sick since the shutdown began, which could cause flight delays. 

"We're tracking sick calls, sick leave. And have we had a slight tick up in sick calls? Yes," he told reporters at a news conference at Newark Liberty International Airport. "You'll see delays come from that, right? … Our priorities are safety, and so if we have additional calls, we will reduce the flow consistent with a rate that's safe for the American people." 

Duffy said air traffic controllers are part of critical infrastructure, but noted that they won't be paid while the government is shut down. Federal government employees will receive backpay once the government reopens. 

He said the lack of continuous pay adds stress on air traffic controllers, who already have pressure-filled jobs. 

"They have bills," he said. "So now they're thinking about that at the same time that they're controlling the airspace, which I don't like that. … We want them to leave their personal problems at the door when they go into a tower or into a facility." 

The Senate reconvenes Monday and is set to vote on a short-term funding bill as Democratic and Republican lawmakers remain deadlocked over the government shutdown. CBS News' Caitlin Huey-Burns has the latest from Capitol Hill:

The Senate is set to vote again on measures to fund the government Monday evening, after a series of votes have fallen short of the 60 votes needed. 

On Sept. 19, senators first voted on the dueling measures to fund the government, after the House passed the GOP-led bill that would have extended funding until Nov. 21. The measure fell short, with just one Democrat crossing the aisle. Meanwhile, the Democratic proposal, which would fund the government until Oct. 31 along with extending health insurance tax credits that Democrats have made a top priority, also fell short, with no Republican support. 

Then last week, the Senate voted three times on the competing measures. On Tuesday, with hours before the funding deadline, the Republican proposal picked up support from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Nevada Democrat, and Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats. Sen. John Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat who had previously supported the measure, also voted in favor. Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky has been the sole Republican to oppose it each time.

After Tuesday's votes, Republicans had been hoping to gain more Democratic support. But on Wednesday, the outcome remained unchanged at 55 to 45. 

After taking a break from voting Thursday to observe Yom Kippur, the Senate took up the proposals again Friday. The Republican measure failed to pick up more support from Democrats. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters ahead of Friday's vote that, should it fail, "we'll give them the weekend to think about it, we'll come back and we'll vote again on Monday." But Democrats have appeared dug in on their position, seeking negotiations on the health care issue. And whether the weekend away does anything to move the needle remains to be seen.

Johnson was asked about Jeffries' challenge to a debate on the House floor over the shutdown, saying he is not interested.

"When the poll says that about 13% of the people approve of your messaging, then you make desperate pleas for attention, and that's what Hakeem Jeffries has done," Johnson said.

"My friend Hakeem had his shot. We debated all this on the House floor, as you know, before we passed our bill. He spoke for seven or eight minutes. He had all of his colleagues lined up, they gave it their best shot. They argued and they stomped their feet and screamed at us and all that, and still we passed the bill in bipartisan fashion and sent it over to the Senate," the speaker said. "The House has done its job."

Johnson called the Democratic leader "a friend and a colleague." 

"But we all know what he's trying to do there," he said.

At a press conference at the Capitol, House Speaker Mike Johnson railed against Democrats for their posture in the funding fight Monday morning, saying that his colleagues across the aisle "are in a relentless effort to spin the facts." 

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, outlined the process to fund the government, noting it takes time to negotiate and pass all 12 full-year funding bills before the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1. He said appropriators "ran out of time," prompting Republicans to do "the responsible thing" by putting forward a seven-week funding measure to allow appropriators to finish their work.

Johnson said Republicans expected Senate Democrats to approve the continuing resolution to fund the government, citing the party's previous aversion to letting the government shut down. But Democrats changed their tune.

The Louisiana Republican accused Democrats of creating a "red herring," deciding to "pick a fight on health care." 

"None of their policies are very popular, so they decided to lob onto health care," Johnson said. 

Johnson stressed that the House-passed continuing resolution would "keep the lights on" so that the debate over health care can continue, calling it a "very complicated" issue that lawmakers need time to find consensus around.

For now, Johnson reiterated, "there's nothing for the House to negotiate" and that the lower chamber "has done its job."

"The ball is in the court of the Senate Democrats," Johnson said. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Monday challenging him to a debate on the House floor "any day this week in primetime, broadcast live to the American people."

"Given the urgency of the moment and the Republican refusal to negotiate a bipartisan agreement, a debate on the House Floor will provide the American people with the transparency they deserve," Jeffries wrote in the letter.

The New York Democrat argued that he and his members "have been clear and consistent in our position." He said the country "needs immediate, bipartisan negotiations between the White House and congressional leadership" to reach an agreement on funding and reopening the government, while addressing what he called the "Republican healthcare crisis."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said Monday that he hasn't communicated with the White House and Republican leaders in Congress since the Oval Office meeting one week ago.

"Unfortunately the White House and Republican leaders have gone radio silent ever since then," Jeffries said on NBC.

The New York Democrat said Republicans "have my number," and Democrats are "willing to sit down — we want to meet." He added that "it makes no sense" that the two sides aren't communicating as the shutdown stretches into another week.

"We've said from the very beginning, we'll sit down with anyone, anytime, any place in order to reopen the government, find a bipartisan agreement that actually meets the needs of the American people," Jeffries said.

Republicans argue that there's nothing to negotiate since the House has already approved a measure to fund the government until Nov. 21, which Democrats have repeatedly blocked in the Senate. 

President Trump pledged Sunday at an event to mark the Navy's 250th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia, to "get our service members every last penny" despite the government shutdown, which he called "Democrat-induced."

"Don't worry about it," Mr. Trump said. "It's all coming, it's coming."

Active-duty service members are set to miss their next paychecks on Oct. 15 unless lawmakers vote to reopen the government, or separately approve a measure to pay the military. The date is seen as a possible leverage point for Republicans as they push to peel off Democratic support for a measure to keep the government funded until Nov. 21.

Mr. Trump said "we have to take care of this little gnat that's on our shoulder, called the Democrats."

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene Monday afternoon after breaking for the weekend and is set to take votes on competing measures to fund the government after they fell short of the 60 votes needed for a fourth time last week.

The latest round of procedural votes on the dueling bills comes after they failed to pick up any new support during Friday's votes. Republicans are pushing for a House-passed measure to keep the government funded until Nov. 21, while Democrats have a separate measure to fund the government through October that would also extend health insurance tax credits, which has become Democrats' key demand in the funding fight.

Republicans have argued that negotiations on the tax credits, which expire at the end of the year, can happen once the government reopens, holding the repeat votes to pressure Democrats to support their measure to reopen the government.

With 53 Republicans in the upper chamber, support from Democrats is needed to advance a measure to fund the government. When the House-passed bill first received a vote in the Senate, just one Democrat crossed the aisle to support it. On the next vote, which came last week, two more senators crossed the aisle to back it. But since then, Republicans have been unable to peel off any additional support from Democrats in two more attempts.

Relatively few Americans say the Democrats' or Republicans' positions are worth a shutdown, according to a CBS News poll released Sunday.

For the Democrats, only half their rank and file think their party's positions are worth a shutdown, and even fewer Republicans say that of the GOP's positions.

Overall views and descriptors of the parties aren't positive ones. Each has underwater favorability ratings overall, with the Republicans getting slightly better ratings than the Democrats.

Read more here.

Congressional leaders traded blame for the government shutdown on Sunday as the stalemate over how to reopen the government stretched into another week without progress on negotiations.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Sunday on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that "the House did its job" by passing a measure last month that would fund the government until Nov. 21, saying the reason House Republicans will remain in their districts this week is "because we did that."

"I pray that more Democrats in the Senate will come to their senses and do the right thing, and when they have the next opportunity on Monday to vote to open the government. I surely hope that they will," Johnson said. 

Read more here.