Oct 20, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Scoop: Schumer cancels Southeast Asia trip amid shutdown

Stephen Neukam

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer at the US Capitol on Oct. 15. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A congressional delegation to Southeast Asia next month, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), has been cancelled, sources tell Axios.

Why it matters: The prolonged government shutdown is forcing top lawmakers to cancel trips into November, with little sign of progress on Capitol Hill.

People familiar with the matter told Axios the CODEL was cancelled due to the logistics of a trip potentially in the middle of a shutdown, when many workers involved in planning are furloughed.

Between the lines: The shutdown is grounding diplomacy abroad and at home to a halt.

Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle aren't talking to each other, and rank and file discussions about opening the government are stuck in the mud.
Senate Democrats on Monday evening once again rejected a GOP-led funding bill.

Flashback: During the 35-day shutdown in 2018-19 — the longest in U.S. history — several congressional trips abroad were also canceled, including bipartisan visits to NATO allies.

Go deeper: Schumer keeps tight grip on Senate Dems as shutdown wears on

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Scoop: Schumer cancels Southeast Asia trip amid shutdown

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