These crucial deadlines could pressure the government to reopen
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Senate Leader John Thune speaks to reporters as he walks into his office at the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 2. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Congress is about to feel the heat from the shutdown fight.
Why it matters: A series of deadlines and milestones — including dates for funding lapses and missed paychecks — could pressure lawmakers to resolve the shutdown sooner than later.
- Federal workers are already feeling the squeeze, and the worst is yet to come.
- President Trump is on track to set a record for most days presiding over a government in a shutdown if it stretches into the middle of the month.
Driving the news: The first government shutdown since 2019 has been hard to shake as GOP leaders have refused to negotiate with Democrats and are pressuring some Democratic senators to flip their votes and approve a funding plan.
- Trump on Tuesday called Democrats "insurrectionists" over the shutdown.
Yes, but: A Chuck Schumer-linked super PAC has urged Democrats not to flinch.
- Polls show voters blame Trump and Republicans more than Democrats for the shutdown.
Upcoming government shutdown dates:
Friday, Oct. 10 — Federal workers (including border patrol agents) will receive their final paycheck for work done in September (this will not include any work done in October after the shutdown started).
- Energy Department Secretary Chris Wright said the National Nuclear Security Administration only has funding until Oct. 10, suggesting that there might be staff reductions if funds dry up.
Monday, Oct. 13 — The Senate's previously planned recess week is scheduled to begin.
- However, this would likely be scrapped to deal with shutdown deliberations.
Tuesday, Oct. 14 — The House is scheduled to reconvene after a brief recess.
- Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has kept his members out of town during the shutdown to align with the wider GOP strategy of putting pressure on Democrats to agree to a deal.
Wednesday, Oct. 15 — Active-duty military members will miss their first paychecks.
Friday, Oct. 17 — Federal courts could shutter if new appropriations aren't approved, per the U.S. Courts website.
- Under the Anti-Deficiency Act, the Judiciary may use court fee balances and other funding unrelated to appropriations to stay open if the work is to support the use of judicial powers, per the court's website.
Saturday, Oct. 18 — "No Kings" anti-Trump protests — which aim to criticize the president's administration with nonviolent demonstrations — kick off again.
- GOP leaders have suggested that Democrats may be facing pressure to avoid funding until after these protests.
Monday, Oct. 20 — Senate staff will miss their first whole paychecks. Senators will still be paid.
Wednesday, Oct. 23 — Trump would eclipse Jimmy Carter as the president who has presided over the most days of the government being shut down.
Friday, Oct. 24 —Many federal employees will miss their whole paychecks for work done in October.
Friday, Oct. 31 — House staff will miss their full paychecks. House members would still be paid.
Saturday, Nov. 1 — Affordable Care Act open enrollment begins.
- The ACA has become a centerpiece of the possible government funding deal after Democrats proposed an extension of ACA subsidies, which help about 22 million ACA enrollees afford their premiums.
- The GOP originally insisted an ACA extension wouldn't be included in stopgap funding legislation, which could ultimately lead to a spike in premiums.
- More recently, Republicans appeared split on an extension. Trump suggested this week he's open to a health care deal to end the shutdown.
Tuesday, Nov. 4 — By the end of the day, the shutdown would become the longest in U.S. history.
- The previous record was held by the 2018-2019 shutdown under Trump, which lasted 35 days.
- Before that, the longest shutdown lasted 21 days, from 1995 to 1996, under then-President Bill Clinton.
When will people get their back pay?
Most federal employees don't get paid during a shutdown, but they are legally guaranteed back pay after a shutdown ends.
- However, a draft of a White House memo suggested furloughed federal workers aren't guaranteed compensation for their forced time off during the government shutdown, Axios first reported.
The result? Federal workers erupted.
Will the troops get paid?
Right now, no.
- Active-duty military service members are expected to experience delayed pay, with their first missed paycheck on Oct. 15. On Wednesday, Johnson ruled out a stand-alone vote to pay troops amid the shutdown.
What happens to WIC?
It's possible the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) runs out of funding, leaving those on the program without food assistance.
- However, Axios reported that the White House has found funding to keep the program open — for now.
What happens to SNAP?
The shutdown has not impacted SNAP benefits for October. However, it's unclear what will happen if the shutdown extends into November.
- During the 2018-2019 shutdown under Trump, SNAP benefits continued, with people receiving February benefits in mid-January. This led some families to go 40 days before March benefits arrived.
What about Social Security and disability payments?
Zoom in: Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments will continue as normal, and there doesn't appear to be any indication that checks will lapse.
- The Social Security Administration said in September that 45,000 employees would continue to work during the shutdown.
Go deeper: How long past government shutdowns have lasted
Stef Kight and Andrew Solender contributed to this report.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that on Oct. 23 (not Oct. 16) Trump would outdo Jimmy Cater for presiding over the longest government shutdown.
