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October 23, 2025

Federal Government Shutdown Enters Its 23rd Day
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The federal government shutdown has entered its 23rd day. As a result,
60,000 aviation safety workers won't receive a full paycheck in the
coming days. The authority that operates the Minneapolis-St. Paul
International Airport is planning to provide nonperishable food items to
federal employees who are struggling to buy groceries. Meanwhile, the
National Nuclear Security Administration, the agency which oversees the
nation's nuclear stockpile, has announced that it has furloughed more
than 1,400 employees - three-quarters of its staff.

On Capitol Hill, the Senate's 12th attempt to end the shutdown failed
Wednesday. Ahead of the vote, Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon
delivered a 22-hour speech warning about President Trump's agenda.

Sen. Jeff Merkley: "Colleagues, I'm coming tonight to the floor of this
Senate to ring the alarm bells, because we have become an authoritarian
nation over the last nine months. We are deep into an authoritarian
takeover."



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