# Republicans and Dems let the gov't shut down on 09/30/25, then what? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 18, 2025, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157 "2025-09-18T17:18:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/81 "2025-10-09T00:43:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I think the shutdown will continue until after the Nov elections The last shutdown, which was also under Trump, was the longest in history : 35 days. During that time, essential workers like air traffic controllers were required to work, even though they weren’t being paid. Eventually, they just started calling in sick, which created mass disruptions at airports, and led to Congress being forced to resolve the issue. Point being, there will be stresses on this government that will make a prolonged shutdown unlikely. > [@](#): > > **The 35-day shutdown that marked President Donald Trump’s first term finally ended after some controllers along the East Coast called out sick, forcing cascading delays. The resulting turmoil was [widely credited for helping](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/25/shutdown-flight-delays-1125449) reopen the government hours later.** [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/flight-delays-shutdown-bargaining-00598848](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/08/flight-delays-shutdown-bargaining-00598848) ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/82 "2025-10-09T03:49:54Z")
Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/83 "2025-10-09T13:19:55Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > there will be stresses on this government that will make a prolonged shutdown unlikely. I hope so, but also feel this is too optimistic. after all, the people making decisions don’t care how hard it is on people, that’s clear. 😡 ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/84 "2025-10-09T13:20:52Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet. and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/85 "2025-10-09T13:49:15Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP. Many of the air traffic controllers don’t even need to fake it. It’s a high stress job, made even higher stress by circumstances. No surprise that they’re getting physically and emotionally sick. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/86 "2025-10-09T13:53:28Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The GOP has a majority in both houses of Congress. In no way shape or form is this the fault of the Democrats. A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/87 "2025-10-09T13:55:45Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Air traffic controller shortages are already creating disruptions at airports across the country, and surging sick callouts haven’t even started yet. Considering the controversy of whether minority applicants for ATC are held to lower standards to create diversity as per MAGA, I suspect many non-Anglo controllers will not be allowed back into the tower. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/88 "2025-10-09T13:59:08Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members. A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time. That Republicans have more than 51 votes for their budget, but apparently not enough to change the rules, indicates the fault lines in their caucus. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/89 "2025-10-09T14:27:08Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time. That is true, but history has shown neither party wants to get rid of the filibuster completely. But if they change the rules so no filibuster is allowed on budget bills, I think everyone could get behind that. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/90 "2025-10-09T14:29:33Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > It’s a high stress job, made even higher stress by circumstances. No surprise that they’re getting physically and emotionally sick. > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I suspect many non-Anglo controllers will not be allowed back into the tower. bottom line, we are all much less safe. the controllers working, those of us who need or want to fly, those living near airports: everyone is less safe. “are we great yet?” ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/91 "2025-10-09T14:31:55Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > But if they change the rules so no filibuster is allowed on budget bills, I think everyone could get behind that. Yep. I think it’s the most probable outcome of this shutdown. The Republicans used the reconciliation rules with a filibuster exception to get where we are. There’s no reason for them not to add another exception to move forward. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/92 "2025-10-09T14:52:16Z")
Make Airports Great Again ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/93 "2025-10-09T17:47:15Z")
I was supposed to fly to a city five hours away by car next week. I cancelled my flight and rented a car. Hopefully the airlines will also start to feel the heat and pressure the Pubs to get off their asses and govern. ETA: maybe not “govern” so much as stop hurting people. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/94 "2025-10-09T19:33:56Z")
> [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > The issue is that the senate majority could always just change their mind and go back to a simple majority for recission packages. > [@DeadTreasSecretaries](#): > > But the senate can always choose to make an exception to the filibuster for anything > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Exactly. Since when does following the rules even matter anymore? > [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > A majority in the Senate is de facto 60 members. > [@Pleonast](#): > > A fact that a simple majority of 51 members could change at any time. See above. The GOP has already changed the filibuster rules, when the Dems were objecting to a SCOTUS candidate. The can chamge them anytime they want to. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/95 "2025-10-09T21:51:16Z")
[quote=“JackieLikesVariety, post:84, topic:1023157”] and this makes me hope they start calling out “sick” ASAP. [/quote] I know it’s illegal for air traffic controllers to go on strike, but if they did go on strike anyway it doesn’t seem like there’s a practical way to punish them en masse. 🤔 If you fire them all who’s going to replace them? The Air Force? That doesn’t seem practical, especially in the long term. How did Reagan pull that off back in the 1980s? I imagine there’s alot more Air traffic since then. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/96 "2025-11-02T17:19:59Z")
Bumping this thread. The shutdown is still going. I’m hopeful the election Tues might shake things up. Just need a few Republicans to decide that the political risk to their reelection is big enough to change course. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/97 "2025-11-02T18:24:19Z")
Would be sweet to see any “close” races go Dem. But no idea of the chances of that. Any thoughts as to which races will be most significant? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/98 "2025-11-02T18:27:02Z")
I live in Virginia, so they seem most important to me, but the only one that appears in doubt here is for Virginia AG, neck and neck. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/99 "2025-11-02T18:28:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’m hopeful the election Tues might shake things up. Just need a few Republicans to decide that the political risk to their reelection is big enough to change course. It’s an off-year election, so unless there are any special elections to fill vacant seats, there aren’t any House or Senate seats being contested this week. But, that said, if state and local elections in areas which would normally be “solidly red” turn out to be much closer than anticipated, or if Democrats actually win some of those, that certainly might get the GOP’s attention. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157/100 "2025-11-02T19:24:29Z")
But that’s what I’m saying – if it’s a big Democratic sweep, above expectations, in VA and NJ, then other VA and NJ Republicans who aren’t up until '26 might be worried their '26 chances are going down the tubes unless they change course. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-dems-let-the-govt-shut-down-on-09-30-25-then-what/1023157.md?page=6)