As the U.S. government shutdown barrels into its third week, its effects are rippling across the country—impacting everything from paychecks and public attractions to political tempers and public opinion. The standoff, which began in late September 2025, has left federal employees without work or pay, shuttered museums and zoos, and stoked fierce partisan blame between Democrats and Republicans. All the while, Americans watch with mounting frustration as lawmakers remain deadlocked in Washington.
On Friday, October 10, Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth were denied entry to the Broadview ICE processing facility in Illinois, a dramatic moment that underscored the shutdown’s reach. According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the senators were turned away because the ongoing shutdown had closed the facility to visitors. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin explained, "Unfortunately, they chose to shut down the government and this is a US government facility. Once they open up the government and follow the proper protocols, we are more than happy to facilitate a tour."
Durbin and Duckworth, both Democrats, were quick to criticize the denial and the lack of transparency from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). "We just want to go in and look at the facility and see what the conditions are and they would not let us in—it is shameful," Duckworth said, as reported by Chicago Politics. Durbin added, "They’ve refused to tell us this information. I’ve done this job for a few years now, I’ve never had this stone walling by any presidential administration."
This wasn’t their first attempt. Durbin said it was the fourth time he and Duckworth had requested a tour of the Broadview facility, but ICE officials had not responded. ICE, for its part, pushed back, accusing the senators of trying to "make a spectacle" of immigration enforcement. A spokesperson stated, "This is just another ridiculous attempt for Democrats to make a spectacle out of illegal aliens and immigration enforcement. These politicians have been told time and time again that to ensure the safety and security of all involved, requests to tour processing centers and field offices must be made a minimum of seven (7) calendar days in advance, and which Senator Duckworth’s staff did not do."
The senators’ experience is not unique. Other Democratic officials, including Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Jonathan Jackson, and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, have also been denied entrance to ICE facilities in recent months. The shutdown has deepened the rift between the parties, with each side blaming the other for the impasse. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of treating health care as an "extraneous issue," insisting, "people throughout this country should be able to afford to go see a doctor when they need one for themselves, their family, their children." Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson fired back, saying, "eight times now, Democrats in Congress have voted to close the government. It’s real pain for real people. And they seem not to care."
President Donald Trump has not been shy about taking action—or assigning blame. During the shutdown, Trump began firing federal workers, rather than the typical furloughs seen in past shutdowns, and vowed to continue paying members of the military. As of October 10, at least 4,000 civil-service workers were notified of layoffs, and the administration warned that more were coming. Civil servants received reduced paychecks on October 10, and members of the military were expected to miss their first paycheck on October 15, unless Trump intervened. On October 11, the president announced on social media that the Pentagon had found the money to pay about 1.3 million active military members, relieving one of the shutdown’s most urgent pressures.
The effects of the shutdown have been felt far beyond Capitol Hill. The Smithsonian Institution’s 21 museums, including the National Zoo, closed their doors on Sunday, October 12, taking popular animal cams—like the beloved Giant Panda feed—offline. Smithsonian officials cited cuts to federal resources and staff as the reason. In a social media post, the institution reassured the public, "all the animals at the National Zoo and at its Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia will continue to be fed and cared for despite the institutions being closed to the public."
The shutdown has also disrupted major public events. The Marine Corps Marathon, scheduled for October 26 in Washington, D.C., is expected to proceed as planned, though organizers are monitoring the situation closely. The Army Ten-Miler race went ahead on October 12, but with several event alterations, while two other D.C. races—the National Capital 20 Miler and Janet Braunstein 5 Miler—were canceled on October 3 because of the shutdown.
Essential social programs have managed to stay afloat, at least for now. The Social Security Administration continues to issue retirement and disability benefits, though it furloughed 12% of its staff and paused marketing campaigns. Medicare and Medicaid payments are also continuing. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, remain operational as long as funds last, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Education has not escaped the turmoil. The Department of Education suffered layoffs on October 11, cutting roughly 20% of its workforce—a blow that could reduce support and services for schools nationwide. Most public schoolteachers continue to be paid, since local and state funding is the primary source for their salaries. However, Department of Defense Education Activity employees, who teach children of military families on bases, will go without pay during the shutdown. Additionally, a decades-old federal funding program that supports schools impacted by tax-exempt federal property has been halted, affecting military and tribal communities.
While the president’s $400,000 annual salary is protected by the Constitution and continues unaffected, some lawmakers have pledged to forgo their compensation during the shutdown. Article I, Section 6 of the Constitution ensures members of Congress receive their pay, but Senators Andy Kim and others have said they will not accept paychecks during this period.
The political battle over the shutdown is as fierce as ever. Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced the chamber would vote again on October 14 on a Republican-led continuing resolution to end the shutdown, after the last effort failed 54-45—short of the 60 votes needed. Most Senate Democrats have blocked the bill, seeking to restore Medicaid cuts and extend Affordable Care Act subsidies before agreeing to reopen the government. Republicans argue that healthcare negotiations should wait until after the government reopens.
Amid the finger-pointing, Americans are making their own judgments. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted October 4-6 found that 41% of Americans blame Republicans and Trump for the shutdown, while 30% blame Democrats and 23% blame neither side. Among those who correctly identified which party holds the Congressional majority, 49% blamed Republicans and 34% blamed Democrats.
With the shutdown now in its third week and the Senate preparing for yet another vote, the toll on federal employees, public services, and the broader American public continues to mount. As both sides dig in, the path to reopening the government remains as uncertain as ever, with no easy resolution in sight.
