WASHINGTON − Lawmakers are bracing for another Senate vote attempting to end the government shutdown as the impact of funding drying up continues to ripple across the country nearly two weeks into the standoff.

But both sides have dug in for a longer impasse with the Senate vote planned for Tuesday, Oct. 14, after the federal Columbus Day holiday, which is also recognized as Indigenous Peoples' Day in some cities and states. House Democrats also plan to meet Oct. 14 "to discuss the path forward."

The latest on Day 13 of the shutdown:

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it will publish a delayed September Consumer Price Index report this month to allow for this year's Social Security cost-of-living adjustment to be calculated.
  • A union representing Centers for Disease Control workers said it would fight what it called the "illegal firing" of hundreds of its workers.
  • President Donald Trump over the weekend said his administration has found a way to pay troops during the shutdown. Members of the military faced the possibility of missing a paycheck on Wednesday, Oct. 15.
  • The Smithsonian's National Zoo closed Sunday, Oct. 12, and its panda cam has gone offline. The animals there will still be fed and cared for, the zoo said.

Staffing issues continue to affect flights

While weather was the primary cause of flight delays and cancellations across the country on Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration cited staffing issues at Austin Bergstrom International Airport as the reason it needed to implement a ground stop for flights heading to the city.

The FAA's order meant that flights departing for Austin would be delayed an average of 40 minutes between 4 p.m. CT and 10 p.m. CT, according to the agency.

Since the government shutdown began, sporadic staffing issues have led to flight delays at various airports across the country, but overall, the aviation system has performed at normal levels of both timeliness and safety since Oct. 1.

–Zach Wichter

Union vows to fight 'illegal' firings at CDC

The union representing Centers for Disease Control employees at its Atlanta, Georgia, headquarters issued a statement Monday, Oct. 13, vowing to fight what it called the "illegal firing" of more than 1,300 workers.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2883 said 700 employees who were issued termination notices on Friday, Oct. 10, received emails rescinding the action within 24 hours, blaming a coding error for the mistake. About 600 others, however, are still out of a job.

"The accounts of irreparable harm being done continue to unfold: Human resource workers brought back from furlough and forced to send themselves RIF notices with effective dates of December 8, 2025; CDC mental health professionals who have supported employees affected by the August 8, 2025, shooting attack on CDC’s Atlanta-based headquarters, now finding themselves facing termination," said Yolanda Jacobs, AFGE Local 2883 President. "The administration has more than delivered on its promise to traumatize federal employees."

The AFGE and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed a lawsuit to stop the layoffs on Sept. 30, asking a California federal court to declare the planned termination of federal employees during the shutdown an unlawful use of power.

Johnson says country is 'barreling toward' one of its longest shutdowns

House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters Monday the country is "barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history."

As the funding crisis hits the two-week mark, lawmakers still don't appear any closer to a compromise. The longest shutdown happened during President Trump's first term and was largely related to disputes over a southern border wall. It lasted for 35 days.

Johnson said he spoke with the president "at length" just before Trump departed for his Middle East trip, and the two remain united in their views about the shutdown.

"He and I are both so frustrated," he said.

Shutdown leaves flood insurance program high and dry

Even as an October nor’easter battered the East Coast, the government shutdown has crippled the flood insurance program that millions of Americans rely on.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) covers 4.7 million policyholders in 23,000 communities across the country, for a total of $1.3 trillion in flood insurance, according to an analysis from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

It’s a lifeline in high-risk areas across the country, where mortgage lenders require homeowners to have insurance against flood. Very few private homeowners’ policies offer that coverage, however. NAR reckons that nearly 1,400 real estate closings per day could be impacted by the shutdown.

CPI report to be released despite shutdown

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it will publish the September Consumer Price Index so the Social Security Administration can calculate and release the 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).

The September CPI report and 2026 COLA will be released on Oct. 24. The report was originally set to be released Oct. 15, but it was delayed due to the government shutdown.

The Social Security cost-of-living adjustment occurs annually to help ensure Social Security benefits keep pace with inflation.

Banks offer supports for people affected by shutdown

Many of America’s largest banks are offering help to customers whose finances are in disarray because of the shutdown.

USAA, which provides financial services to military members, veterans and their families, offers an extensive menu of help for accountholders affected by the shutdown.

Bank of America is offering customers affected by the shutdown “financial assistance tailored to your specific situation,” according to an alert on its home page.

Chase Bank offers a “special care line” for customers worried about keeping up with payments on mortgages, credit cards, auto or business loans.

Citibank invites those affected by the shutdown to “chat with us after you sign on” or call the customer service number on the back of their card or statement.

The American Bankers Association has complied a list of banks offering relief to customers impacted by the shutdown.

Senate preps 8th vote to end shutdown

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the chamber would vote again Tuesday, Oct. 14, on a bill to end the shutdown, but that he still needed a handful of Democrats to reopen the government.

The Senate has already failed seven times to approve a House Republican bill to reopen the government until Nov. 21. Three senators who caucus with Democrats joined Republicans to support the bill, but the 55-45 majority was short of the 60-vote majority needed to end the debate.

Thune, R-South Dakota, continued to blame the shutdown on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York. Most Democrats have blocked the bill while aiming to restore cuts to Medicaid and extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Republicans said they can negotiate health care issues after the government reopens.

“Let’s hope there are 5 more Democrats who will join us, because despite all of the good work we’ve done, there’s a lot more we could do if the Schumer Shutdown ends,” Thune said on social media.

Where is President Trump today?

While the government remains shut down, President Donald Trump is in the Middle East on Monday as he celebrates the release of hostages from Gaza and the ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Trump delivered remarks to The Knesset in Israel on Monday and is scheduled to travel later in the day to Egypt, which helped broker the peace deal.

“The state of Israel is strong and it will live and thrive forever,” Trump said in his speech in Jerusalem.

Trump in the afternoon will return to the White House on Air Force One, with an expected arrival time around midnight.

Do Trump and Congress still get paid during a shutdown?

The president’s salary of $400,000 per year is generally not affected by a shutdown.

"With regard to the President’s pay, Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution forbids the salary of the President to be reduced while he or she is in office, thus effectively guaranteeing the President of compensation regardless of any shutdown action," reads a 2018 Congressional Research Service report.

During his first term, Trump donated his presidential salary to various departments and agencies and says he plans on doing the same during this term as well.

Lawmakers will continue to receive paychecks during a shutdown under Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution, which protects Congress' pay.

However, some lawmakers such as Sen. Andy Kim, D-New Jersey, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-New Jersey, and Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida, say they will not take compensation during the shutdown.

Will food aid continue under SNAP and WIC?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the nation’s largest food aid program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC, will continue operations during a shutdown as funds allow, according to a shutdown planning document published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What happens to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid during a shutdown?

The Social Security Administration will continue to issue retirement and disability benefits, but will furlough 12% of its staff and pause marketing campaigns, according to the agency’s shutdown plan.

Payments will likewise continue under the Medicare and Medicaid health programs.

Democrats plan news conference outside OMB

Democratic lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia will hold a news conference Oct. 14 outside the White House Office of Management and Budget to protest the Trump administration firing thousands of workers during the shutdown.

Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland, and Mark Warner of Virginia, plan to attend. Reps. Jamie Raskin and Johnny Olzsewski of Maryland, and Don Beyer, Suhas Subramanyam and James Walkinshaw also plan to attend.

The lawmakers will urge the administration to support federal workers and prevent a spike in health care costs, which are the reason most Senate Democrats have opposed reopening the government.

House Democrats to meet despite being out of session

House Democrats plan to meet Oct. 14 at the Capitol "to discuss the path forward" despite the chamber being out of session.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, called the caucus meeting for 6 p.m. as Senate Democrats have prevented approval of House GOP legislation that would reopen the government through Nov. 21.

Most Senate Democrats want to restore previously approved Medicaid cuts and extend subsidies under the Affordable Care Act to reopen the government. But Republicans say health care talks must wait until after the shutdown is over.

“That is why it is critically important for House Democrats to once again return to Washington to stand up for the healthcare of everyday Americans, pay our active duty troops and support hardworking federal civil servants,” Jeffries wrote in a letter Oct. 11.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shutdown 'barreling toward' one of the longest ever, GOP leader says

Reporting by Bart Jansen, Joey Garrison, Daniel de Visé, Medora Lee, Andrea Riquier, Zachary Schermele and Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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