Shutdown Looms: Senate Democrats Threaten Late January Government Closure Over White House Climate Research Move
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: A podium is seen prior to a press conference outside of the U.S. Capitol on September 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. House Democrats demanded that Congressional Republicans negotiate with them on spending to avoid a federal government shutdown that is set to begin at midnight if no deal is struck. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate Democrats signaled that another government shutdown could occur by late January as tensions escalate with President Donald Trump over recent White House actions that Democrats argue demand a strong response from Congress.
Before departing Washington for the Christmas recess, Senate Democrats abandoned a potential deal to fund most federal agencies—including War, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services departments—which account for approximately two-thirds of discretionary spending.
Democrats cited President Trump’s threat to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, as the primary reason they refused to advance a five-bill appropriations package. If the measure had passed, Congress could have funded up to 90% of federal operations through September, substantially reducing shutdown risks.
Instead, lawmakers left town without even agreeing on how amendments would be considered when they return, delaying action until at least early January. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., who participated in negotiations, said Democrats are deliberately keeping the threat of a shutdown alive. “They want some leverage for the end of January,” Hoeven told The Hill, adding that Democrats appeared unwilling to move forward even if the climate research issue had not escalated.
Senate Democrats are not ruling out using the Jan. 30 funding deadline as leverage to force key concessions from the White House. “I’m not going to speculate,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said. The Connecticut Democrat added his party wants to pass appropriations but will wait to see how events play out. One Democratic senator warned that failing to pass the five-bill package indicates growing likelihood of another shutdown, while another cited budget director Russell Vought’s announcement about dismantling the atmospheric research center as evidence the White House is provoking a confrontation.
“If you’re trying to get something done, you don’t throw a stick of dynamite into the process,” the lawmaker said. “The president’s people shouldn’t have thrown a stick of dynamite into the process.” Another senator added, “If I was [Senate Appropriations Committee Chair] Sen. Susan Collins and [Senate Majority Leader] Sen. John Thune, I’d be furious at the president, because he just threw a grenade into the middle of the process.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the White House’s move damaged trust among Democrats: “It was pretty clear that kind of the trust was impacted. Like, if they’re going to do this right on the eve of advancing appropriations, what else should be worried about?” A Republican senator also warned that failing to pass the package would risk a shutdown: “If we don’t pass it, then we’re going to walk into a potential government shutdown.”
Democrats also highlighted unresolved issues—including health insurance subsidies, foreign policy concerns, and transparency demands tied to the Epstein files—that must be addressed before committing to a funding deal. Meanwhile, Thune suggested Congress may resort to a yearlong continuing resolution—a move Democrats warn could reignite partisan conflict early next year.
