**Federal Government Shutdown Enters Third Day Amid Budget Dispute** The federal government is now in its third day of a shutdown, as lawmakers remain deadlocked over competing spending bills. President Donald Trump and Republican leaders have attributed the shutdown to Democrats' demands regarding healthcare. In contrast, Democrats argue that Republicans must engage in negotiations to resolve the impasse. The Senate is set to reconvene for another vote on Friday.

The Trump administration has warned of potential mass layoffs affecting federal workers during the shutdown.

In related developments, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the Trump administration for halting funding for infrastructure projects in Chicago. In a post on social media, Pritzker stated, "At a time when federal agents are sowing chaos in Chicago, the Trump administration is holding bipartisan funding hostage. It’s attempting to score political points but is instead hurting our economy and the hardworking people who rely on public transit to get to work or school."

House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's recent social media posts, which included AI-generated memes that mocked federal officials. One video depicted Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought as the "grim reaper." Johnson acknowledged the seriousness of the shutdown's impact on federal employees but maintained that the memes were intended to highlight what he described as the absurdity of the Democrats' position. He stated, "We support federal employees who do a great job in all of these different areas, but what they're trying to have fun with... was to point out the absurdity of the Democrats' position."

Johnson also reiterated that Trump has the authority to initiate federal firings but did not elaborate on how such actions would impact the budget.

In another significant move, Vought and the Department of Transportation announced the cancellation of federal funding for two Chicago Transit Authority projects: the CTA Red Line Extension and the CTA Red and Purple Modernization Program. The Department of Transportation is investigating whether the CTA engaged in "unconstitutional practices" related to race- and sex-based contracting. This decision follows a similar funding withdrawal for transit projects in New York and New Jersey for the same reasons. The DOT stated, "Together, these critical reviews are intended to ensure no additional federal dollars go towards discriminatory, illegal, and wasteful contracting practices."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has not yet commented on the funding cancellations.

As the shutdown continues, the political landscape remains tense, with both parties blaming each other for the ongoing crisis. The situation is evolving, and further developments are expected as lawmakers return to the negotiating table.