Senate Votes Today on Landmark Bill—What It Means for Your Wallet

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With federal offices shuttered for a third straight day, the U.S. Senate is set to hold two pivotal roll-call votes today, October 3 2025, on dueling proposals to fund the government and end the shutdown that began at midnight Tuesday. What’s on the floor today • Republican leadership will first bring up a 45-day continuing resolution that includes enhanced border enforcement, a one-year extension of Trump-era tax cuts, and $16 billion for disaster relief. • Democratic leaders will counter with a “clean” two-week stopgap bill designed to reopen agencies while longer-term negotiations continue. Neither measure is expected to clear the 60-vote threshold, but Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters the back-to-back roll calls “will crystallize for the American people who is working to reopen government and who is prolonging the pain.” Why today’s votes matter • A protracted shutdown threatens pay for 1.9 million civilian federal employees, delays tax refunds, and risks furloughs at key transit agencies after the weekend. • Ratings agency Fitch warned this morning it could place U.S. sovereign debt on “negative watch” if the standoff stretches beyond 10 days. • Both parties face political stakes: Republicans seek leverage on border security ahead of the 2026 midterms, while Democrats aim to protect President Biden’s economic narrative of slowing inflation and robust job growth. Inside the whip counts GOP proposal: At least six Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, say they will oppose their party’s bill because it locks in 8 percent across-the-board domestic cuts. Democrats are united against it, calling the measure “partisan theater.” Democratic proposal: All 51 members of the Democratic caucus are expected to vote yes, but only four Republicans—Sens. Mitt Romney, Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, and Jerry Moran—have signaled openness, leaving the bill short of the supermajority needed. What’s next if both fail • Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell have floated allowing a single bipartisan amendment that blends a shorter stopgap with supplemental border funding—a framework that drew 76 votes in 2023. • House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has so far rejected any plan that lacks long-term spending caps, but pressure is rising from moderates in swing districts worried about weekend flight delays and halted veterans’ benefits. Key times to watch • 11:30 a.m. ET: First vote on cloture for the GOP continuing resolution. • 2:45 p.m. ET (approx.): Second vote on cloture for the Democratic clean CR. Roll-call tallies typically post to Senate.gov within minutes of gavel-down. Bottom line Today’s Senate votes will not only determine how long the government remains closed but will also define the messaging wars heading into the Columbus Day recess. Markets, federal workers, and millions of Americans awaiting services are watching closely as Capitol Hill tries—again—to break the stalemate.