The federal government shutdown entered its third day Friday, with no clear path forward after Senate lawmakers once again failed to advance competing stopgap funding bills.

In back-to-back votes this afternoon, the Democratic measure fell short in a 46-52 vote, while the Republican-backed proposal was also blocked, 54-44.

Both measures required 60 votes to advance and reopen the government.

With the Senate now expected to leave Washington for the weekend, the shutdown will stretch into at least six days, deepening impacts nationwide and here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The deadlock centers on enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, also known as Obamacare subsidies, which Democrats want extended before open enrollment begins in November. Without congressional action, the subsidies will expire at the end of the year.

According to KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research group, expiration could raise premiums by an average of 75 percent.

ACA subsidies currently help about 24 million Americans afford coverage.

A prior KFF analysis found that without the subsidies, average annual out-of-pocket premiums could nearly double in 2026, from $888 to $1,904.

The Congressional Budget Office projects that around 4 million people could lose coverage next year because they would no longer be able to afford insurance.

Extending the subsidies is estimated to cost the federal government about $350 billion over the next decade.

Republicans argue the issue should be addressed later this year and have tied the debate to immigration, claiming Democrats want to extend health benefits to undocumented migrants.

Notably, undocumented immigrants are not eligible for Obamacare subsidies.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R–LA) said Friday that the Trump Administration is making “tough decisions” about layoffs and program cuts during the shutdown, while acknowledging the president has been “trolling” Democratic leaders during the standoff.

“Are they taking great pleasure in that? No. Is he trolling the democrats? Yes. I mean, yes, because that’s what President Trump does, and people are having fun with this. But at the end of the day, the decisions are tough ones,” said at a press conference before the vote Friday.

President Trump commented ahead of the vote Tuesday that while he did not want a shutdown, it did present an opportunity to fire federal workers in a move that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday would be targeting “agencies that don’t align with the administration’s values.”

“We don’t want it to shut down because we have the greatest period of time ever. I tell you, we have $17 trillion being invested. So the last person that wants it shut down is us,” Trump said from the Oval Office Tuesday. “Now, with that being said, we can do things during the shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible by them, like cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.”

Meanwhile, controversy erupted across multiple federal agencies after employees discovered their official communications had been altered to include partisan language blaming Democrats for the shutdown.

At the Education Department, altered email messages included language saying:

“Thank you for contacting me. On September 10, 2025, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5371, a clean continuing resolution. Unfortunately, Democrat Senators are blocking passage of H.R. 5371 in the Senate which has led to a lapse in appropriations. Due to the lapse of appropriations, I am currently in furlough status. I will respond to emails once government functions resume.”

Education Department staff told NBC News their out-of-office email messages were manipulated without consent to state that “Democrat Senators” caused the shutdown by blocking a resolution.

Similar partisan language has been tracked across other agencies.

Those include the Departments of War, State, Treasury, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Labor.

Messaging has also appeared on the websites or communications of the Small Business Administration, DEA, ATF, CDC, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, FDA, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Administration for Children and Families

The edits have raised questions about possible violations of the Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939 to prevent partisan political activity by federal employees in their official capacities.

The law prohibits the use of government communications or resources to campaign for, promote, or disparage political parties or candidates.

The Hatch Act is enforced by the Office of Special Counsel, which can issue penalties including removal from federal service (up to five years) or civil fines (up to $1,000).

However, enforcement is complicated: the Special Counsel’s office is currently disabled due to the funding lapse triggered by the shutdown, and earlier this year, President Trump removed its head and installed Jamieson Greer, the US trade representative, to lead the office.

Ethics watchdogs have described the messaging as “extraordinarily irresponsible,” and several complaints have been filed as of Friday.

Donald Sherman of CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) said some of the actions may clearly be illegal, and others are “inappropriate” given that citizens rely on agency emails and websites for vital information during the shutdown

What The 2025 Government Shutdown Means For SCV Residents

Essential services continue to operate, but local residents may experience disruptions:

• Social Security & Medicare: Checks will continue, though new applications and benefit verifications could be delayed.
• Veterans: VA hospitals and clinics remain open, but call centers and administrative services may face delays.
• Food Assistance: SNAP benefits continue for now, but WIC funding could run out quickly if the shutdown persists.
• Housing: FHA may stop processing new loans, creating delays for families buying or refinancing homes.
• Student Aid: Pell Grants and federal student loans are still being disbursed, but schools could see funding shortages if the shutdown drags on.
• Parks & Museums: Open-air sites remain accessible, but visitor centers and guided tours, including at the U.S. Capitol and White House, are closed.
• Mail Delivery: The Postal Service remains unaffected and will continue normal operations.

Locally, State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares, R-Acton, remains poised to continue assisting her constituents during the federal government shutdown.

“Our constituents are hurting. This shutdown is hitting real people and real families in our community. The House already passed a clean CR to keep the government open for six weeks while Congress works on a bipartisan budget—something both parties have done before,” Valladres told KHTS Friday. “Now it’s up to the Senate. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff can lead on this and I urge them to put families first, not politics. Californians deserve better. While state government operations continue, my team is always available to help answer questions and connect people with resources.”

Valladares, alongside her fellow Republican Senators, signed a letter recently calling on the Senate to avoid the shutdown.

California State Assemblymember Pilar Schaivo, D-Chatsworth, is also working to support local residents during the 2025 government shutdown.

“When the federal government shut down, my office acted quickly to notify constituents and make sure families know where to turn for support during this shutdown. While negotiations continue at the federal level, we are here to help however we can with issues ranging from unemployment claims to housing, food, and health care assistance,” Schiavo told KHTS Friday. “I encourage anyone who needs help to call, email, or submit a caseworker assistance form through my website. We are always here to support and advocate for our community.”

U.S. Congressman George Whitesides (D-Agua Dulce) has pledged to donate his congressional salary to Meals on Wheels programs during the shutdown while keeping district offices open to assist constituents.

Residents of California’s 27th Congressional District who need help navigating shutdown impacts can contact Whitesides’ Santa Clarita office at (661) 568-4855.

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