Federal government shutdown: Live fact-checks as Democrats, GOP spar over health care, layoffs

The United States federal government shut down in the early morning of Oct. 1 after Congress failed to pass funding for federal programs and services. 

Republicans are seeking a bill to temporarily extend federal spending at current levels without any add-ons. Democrats are pushing to extend expiring subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans. Democrats have also said they want to reverse Medicaid cuts that President Donald Trump signed into law this summer.

Trump and his administration — which has already defied norms on executive power — likely will seek to exert more power during the shutdown, including potentially laying off federal workers. 

PolitiFact is live fact-checking the shutdown, including rhetoric from both sides of the aisle. Send fact-check suggestions to truthometer@politifact.com. 

Live fact-checks, updates from the 2025 federal government shutdown