“On a 55-to-45 vote, the G.O.P. plan, which would extend funding through Nov. 21, fell short of the 60 needed for passage,” The New York Times reported. “Republicans also blocked Democrats’ plan, which would extend funding through the end of October and add more than $1 trillion in health care spending, in a 47-to-53 vote.”
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russel T. Vought after the votes directed leaders of executive branch departments and agencies to “execute their plans for an orderly shutdown,” a move “formally initiating the first closure of the federal government since [POTUS 47’s] first term,” Politico reported (download Vought’s memo below, courtesy of Politico).
That shutdown, begun in December 2018, lasted 35 days. It was the longest shutdown in history; other federal government shutdowns have lasted for as little as one day.
“By the time the government reopened in January 2019, about $3 billion in U.S. economic activity evaporated, never to be recovered, according to the Congressional Budget Office,” ABC News reported.
The Senate on Oct. 1, 2025, is expected to vote again, “likely on the same two measures that failed Tuesday [Sept. 30],” according to ABC News.
Offices of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), National Mediation Board (NMB), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Surface Transportation Board (STB) will now be closed other than for safety and emergency situations.
Amtrak, although government owned, will not shut down so long as there is cash on hand for payroll, fuel and other operating essentials.
The Railroad Retirement Board will continue normal operations as it is funded by carrier and rail-employee payroll taxes. Railroad Retirement and Railroad Unemployment and Sickness benefits will continue to be paid on schedule.
FRA, NMB, NTSB and STB legal staff will be on call if their services are required in an emergency situation.
While websites of shutdown agencies may be accessible, they may not be updated.
All political appointees will continue working as their compensation is tied to their official position and not annual congressional appropriations.
It is unlawful for any federal employee furloughed as a result of a government shutdown to volunteer their services.
Furloughed federal employees typically receive backpay as part of the congressional resolution of a funding impasse that created the government shutdown. POTUS 47, however, has directed federal agencies to prepare reduction-in-force (job cut) plans that go beyond typical furloughs.
FRA: Accident/incident safety inspectors will not be furloughed. The Office of Railroad Development will continue to function as it is separately funded through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
NMB: Staff will be on call for emergency action or consultation should there be a violation of the Railway Labor Act.
NTSB: The Go-Team will be available for accident/incident response and investigation.
STB: “Due to a lapse in appropriations causing the federal government to partially shut down its operations, Surface Transportation Board (STB) functions will be suspended,” the STB reported in a online press release dated Oct. 1. “Accordingly, during any lapse in appropriations, the STB will not:
“• Accept or process any filings or submissions;
“• Process cases, issue decisions, or hold public hearings, oral arguments, or voting conferences, except to the extent work has been determined to be an excepted function (e.g., an emergency service order);
“• Litigate and appear in court, except to the extent work on a particular litigation matter has been determined to be an excepted function;
“• Conduct ex parte meetings in informal rulemaking proceedings; or
“• Respond to FOIA requests.
“All deadlines requiring the submission of material to the STB during the pendency of the shutdown will be tolled. The Board’s website and email accounts will be unattended for the duration of the government shutdown. If you believe you have an emergency that requires immediate Board action, please call 202-245-0245 and leave a message.” The Board also posted on its website a “Plan for Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations.”
How the shutdown affects the timeline of submissions and decisions in the proposed UP+NS merger proceeding depends on the length of the shutdown. If the government reopens prior to a timeline deadline, there is no effect. But should the shutdown go beyond a deadline already established, the STB would, upon government’s reopening, issue a supplementary order extending that deadline.
For FAQ and other resources on the government shutdown, click here and here.
