October 20, 2025: Government shutdown and Trump administration news:
October 20, 2025: Government shutdown and Trump administration news We’re entering another week of a government shutdown. We’re 20 days in, making it the third-longest shutdown in U.S. history. But could there be some light at the end of the tunnel?
Our Jess Arnold is on Capitol Hill this morning, where another vote is expected today. Jess, oh, where are you, what’s happening in the House spending bill right now? Again in the Senate today. Now Democrats are pushing to extend those health care tax credits
before they agree to a funding package where Republicans are doubling down, saying they’ll negotiate health care after the Dems pass a bill that the House has already passed.
We will not support a partisan Republican spending bill, which they bring before the Senate and want to continue. House. refused to let us come back and do anything until the government reopens
When Democrats do the right thing for the people. Close the launcher - your door. New Today, the Department of Energy is planning to lay off 1,400 workers at the National Nuclear Security Administration. This is the first time the agency has reduced its workforce by more than 200.
Congressional leaders have yet to meet with the president since the shutdown began. In a survey conducted by the health information group KFF, 75% of respondents said they want Congress to extend the health care tax credits
that help make insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act affordable premiums could increase as soon as November 1. To destroy all health care. We -- asked the president to meet with They won't do it until the day before the deadline,
and when they did, they tweeted pictures of Democratic leaders in AI-generated sombreros and funny accents. 34 days. That's the longest on record, but it's a hurdle even towards that number, folks.
Trump Administration Live Updates: White House:
You know, we're building behind us. We're building a ballroom. They've wanted a ballroom for 150 years, and I'm giving this wonderful place this honor. I think we should do it.
This was the ballroom. And that room holds 88 people. And the new one will hold 999 people, which is a difference. I say 999 because I didn't want to crack a thousand. I didn't want people to be upset
Because it's getting bigger. But we're going to have the most beautiful ballroom in the country. It's going up. And if you're interested, we're going to have to get back to baseball.
But have you seen the gold curtains? It's a knockout panel. Knock it in. You go and get what comes out and then you have basically glass and all the decor of the White House. I didn't know I was going to be standing here right now
Because on the right you have a lot of construction going on that you can hear from time to time. But this is a knockout panel and it goes right into the ballroom and the ballroom is going to be beautiful.
So you'll have drinks, cocktails, everything on this floor and then they'll say, "Welcome to dinner." You walk into the ballroom, Mr. Senators, and you'll see a ballroom that I don't think is going to be over the top. It's going to be, it's going to be great. So, it's going to be a lot of fun.
You know, we're building behind us. We're building a ballroom. They've wanted a ballroom for 150 years, and I'm giving this wonderful place this honor. I think we should do it.
READ MORE: White House economic advisor Hassett says shutdown.This was the ballroom. And that room holds 88 people. And the new one will hold 999 people, which is a difference. I say 999 because I didn't want to crack a thousand. I didn't want people to be upset
Because it's getting bigger. But we're going to have the most beautiful ballroom inD 5 the country. It's going up. And if you're interested, we're going to have to get back to baseball.
But have you seen the gold curtains? It's a knockout panel. Knock it in. You go and get what comes out and then you have basically glass and all the decor of the White House. I didn't know I was going to be standing here right now
Because on the right you have a lot of construction going on that you can hear from time to time. But this is a knockout panel and it goes right into the ballroom and the ballroom is going to be beautiful.
So you'll have drinks, cocktails, everything on this floor and then they'll say, "Welcome to dinner." You walk into the ballroom, Mr. Senators, and you'll see a ballroom that I don't think is going to be over the top. It's going to be, it's going to be great. So, it's going to be a lot of fun.
Government shutdown live updates as Senate fails for 11th:
The Senate will come to order. Chaplain Dr. Black will lead the Senate in prayer. Thank you. Let us pray. Almighty and merciful Father of us all, remind our legislators today of the story of the day of judgment in Matthew chapter 25.
In that story, you asked six questions of humanity. Have you fed the hungry? Have you clothed the naked? Have you given drink to the thirsty? Have you visited the sick?
Have you ministered to the prisoners?
Have you cared for the strangers in your midst? As our senators during this administration play the game of legislative tug-of-war, may they remember these six questions of the day of judgment,
O Lord, may we all hear the cries of the friendless, the helpless, and the powerless on this day of judgment. We pray in your name. Amen. Will you pledge allegiance to me? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, united under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Under the previous order, leadership time is reserved. Under the previous order, the Senate will meet in the morning, during which Senators will be allowed to speak for 10 minutes.
Senator from Iowa. Since 1993, Congress has passed a resolution recognizing this third week of October as National Character Count Week. And of course, we are in that week right now. As the senior U.S. Senator from Iowa, I am proud to sponsor this resolution
And to point out that the world headquarters of the Character Count organization is located in my home state. The Robert D. and Billy Ray Center is located at Drake University. By the way, Bob Ray was governor of Iowa for 14 years. So, the location in Des Moines is a perfect fit for me
because Iowa’s values align with the six pillars of character promoted by the national Character Counts organization. They include Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship.
In my public service, I strive to improve civic engagement and bridge divides through respectful dialogue. Part of that effort includes my annual 99 County Meetings
where I meet with them face-to-face. No topic is off-limits and Ian sets the agenda. Each year, the Drake University Race Center celebrates the Iowa Character Awards to recognize those
who embody civic values. The people of Spencer, Iowa, will be awarded the 2025 Character Community Character Award in recognition of their efforts to recover from last summer’s devastating floods.
Like the brave first responders of 911, emergency response teams from northwest Iowa rushed to help the people of Spencer. They were not deterred by considerations of creed, race, gender, or political affiliation.
They were only concerned about those whose needs were caused by the devastating floods. So they simply rolled up their sleeves. They simply pulled together. Neighbors help neighbors. And that’s certainly the Iowa way.
History tells us how important it is for leaders to govern by virtue. At the Virginia Ratification Convention, debating whether Virginia should ratify the new Constitution, James Madison said,
