Government Shutdown Update: Thursday, October 30, 2025

There was no continuing resolution (CR) vote today, and a vote is not currently on the schedule.

Senators are leaving Washington, D.C. tonight and will recess over the weekend.

The Senate will return on the eve of the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections, the results of which could influence how both parties approach the shutdown.

GAPP Analysis

The firm’s Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) group has received intel indicating Senate negotiations could begin next week. There are conversations suggesting that the current CR could pass within the next two weeks – potentially before the scheduled Veterans Day recess. This would give lawmakers until November 21 to continue negotiations on the appropriations process, while also allowing for the introduction of a CR that would fund the government until a later date.

Senate appropriators have indicated they want to finalize a bicameral agreement on the already-passed Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Appropriations Act; the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. These bills could potentially be attached to a second CR in the form of a minibus. In this scenario, the government would be partially funded by appropriations and partially by the CR, while lawmakers continue to work on passing the remaining appropriations bills.

Many members may be interested in extending the second CR into January so that they may go home for the holidays. However, it is notable that the ACA subsidies are set to expire on December 31.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Earlier today, President Trump suggested that the Administration would find a way to fund SNAP benefits, which are scheduled to expire on November 1. President Trump told reporters, “We’re going to get it done.” While he did not elaborate, the solution currently being circulated involves pulling funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) emergency contingency fund. This would be a temporary solution that could provide $5 billion for SNAP benefits through part of November; however, $8 billion is needed to fund the entire month. States have indicated they would use their own funds to keep local programs partially operating.

A federal judge is expected to announce a ruling on whether or not the Administration is mandated to use those emergency funds. This is in response to lawsuits from 25 states over the Administration’s argument that USDA emergency funding cannot be used for SNAP.

Past updates can be found on the DLA Piper website here.

If you have any questions or would like to coordinate an individual conversation about the shutdown’s effects or about the Government Affairs & Public Policy practice, please contact practice chair Karina Lynch at karina.lynch@us.dlapiper.com.